Go Chris Perdue!
This past Sunday morning, Chris Perdue, age 18, of South Ripley High School, flew out of the Indianapolis International Airport headed to Washington D.C. to meet up with all 200 members of Special Olympics USA. The team gathered later that night, after a day of site seeing, for their official send-off party before departing for the 2017 World Winter Games of Special Olympics.
| When | March 14th- 25th 2017 |
| Where | Graz, Schladming-Rohrmoos, Ramsau |
| Who | 2,700 athletes of 107 nations 1,100 trainers 3,000 volunteers 5,000 family members/friends 800 congress participants 800 media representatives 1,200 honored guests |
| Disciplines | Figure Skating Speed Skating Floor Hockey Floorball Snowshoeing Alpine Skiing Nordic Skiing Snowboarding Stick Shooting Dancing (Demonstration Event) |
| Opening ceremony |
March 18th 2017 in Schladming/WM-Stadium Planai |
| Closing ceremony | March 24th 2017 in Graz/Stadium Liebenau |
| Programs |
|
Team USA
Special Olympics USA, the national team that represents the United States at the Special Olympics World Summer and Winter Games, is comprised of 141 athletes, 40 coaches and approximately 20 delegation members who support team operations. The delegation also includes Special Olympics Unified Sports teams, where people with and without intellectual disabilities compete together, as teammates. Team members will compete in seven sports: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoeing and speed skating. Chris will be competing in the sport of snowboarding.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these athletes to demonstrate their athletic abilities, competing at the highest level on the world stage, and to have life and cultural experiences that will stay with them for the rest of their lives,” said Chris Hahn, Head of Delegation for Special Olympics USA. “I encourage every American to cheer on these inspiring athletes, to share in their triumphs and to take pride in knowing that they will represent our country with excellence and honor.”
This is expected to be the largest Special Olympics World Winter Games in history. An estimated 2,700 athletes from 107 nations will compete in 9 Olympic-type sports at the 2017 Special Olympics World Games.
Chris’ Schedule
- Sun., 3/12 Depart Indianapolis International Airport for D.C.
- Mon., 3/13 Depart D.C. with Team USA to Austria
- Tues., 3/14 Arrive in Austria
- Wed., 3/15 Home Town Activities
- Thurs., 3/16 Depart for Game towns/Training Day
- Fri., 3/17 Inspections & Assessments
- Sat., 3/18 Divisioning Super-G/Opening Ceremonies
- Sun., 3/19 Super-G Finals
- Mon., 3/20 Divisioning Giant Slalom
- Tues., 3/21 Giant Slalom Finals
- Fri., 3/24 Award Ceremonies (Snowboarding)/Closing Ceremonies
- Sat., 3/25 Departs for Home
You can participate!
ESPN will provide full coverage of the event that you can conveniently watch at home.
U.S. TV Schedule: ESPN’s Coverage of Special Olympics World Winter Games Austria
| Day/Date | Program | Time (ET) | Network |
| Sat, Mar 18 | LIVE: Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 — Opening Ceremony | 2-5 p.m. | ABC |
| Sun, Mar 19 | Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 | 2-3 p.m. | ABC |
| Mon, Mar 20 | Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 | 6-6:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Tue, Mar 21 | Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 | 6-7 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Wed, Mar 22 | Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 | 6-7 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Thu, Mar 23 | Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 | 6-7 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Fri, Mar 24 | Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 | 6-7 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| Sun, Mar 26 | Best of the Games | 2-3 p.m. | ABC |
NOTE: All shows will also be simulcast on the ESPN App and WatchESPN
For more information about ESPN’s coverage visit http://www.austria2017.org/en/news-medien/news/news-detail/espns-groundbreaking-coverage-of-special-olympics-world-winter-games.
For more information about the World Winter games visit http://www.austria2017.org/en/home.
