Athletes Named to Team Indiana

Charlie Wilson, David Paul, Alex Kieffer and Unified Partner, Abby Kieffer have been named to Team Indiana for the 2018 USA Games. The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will take place July 1-6, 2018. 3,500 Special Olympics athletes from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, 1,000 coaches, 10,000 family members, 10,000 volunteers and an estimated 50,000 spectators will take part in this premier national sports competition, showcasing the power and joy of sports at the highest levels.

“The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will showcase the abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities, promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport, and celebrate the transformative power of Special Olympics,” said 2018 Special Olympics USA Games CEO Beth Knox, adding “These Games are expected to be the most significant sporting event to come to Seattle since the 1990 Goodwill Games and in addition to hosting a world-class sporting event, we hope to leave a legacy of increased awareness and support for Special Olympics here in Washington long after the Games are over.”

Charlie will train and compete as a member of Team Indiana’s six member swim team, David will train and compete as a member of Team Indiana’s two member powerlifting team, and Alex and Abby will train and compete as members of Team Indiana’s four member bowling team. Training begins August 1, 2017 for each athlete; as fundraising begins this month (July 2017).

“We are very excited and honored to have such great local athlete representation on Team Indiana,” said Greg Townsend, local Program Coordinator, adding “These athletes and their local coaches [Jesse Laub, David Baugh, Tim Paul, and Jeanette Mattingly] have a lot of hard training, camps and fundraising over the next twelve months.”

The Special Olympics USA Games are held every four years. Previous Games were held in Mercer County, New Jersey in 2014, Lincoln, Nebraska in 2010 and Ames, Iowa in 2006.

Team Indiana Fundraising

Each member of Team Indiana is responsible to raise at least $750, through Team Indiana and/or Special Olympics Indiana organized fundraisers. An online fundraising page has been created for each athlete. Online donations is Team Indiana’s preferred method of contributing to the cause.

Charlie Wilson’s Online Fundraising Page

David Paul’s Online Fundraising Page

Alex Kieffer’s Online Fundraising Page

Abby Kieffer’s Online Fundraising Page

A 50th Anniversary Highlight

Competition in 16 Olympic-type individual and team sports, as well as special events, will be hosted at venues throughout Seattle and the King County area, including Husky Stadium at the University of Washington, which will serve as the venue for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

In addition to sports competition, special events, celebrity involvement, and the pageantry of Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the 2018 USA Games will also showcase Special Olympics’ work in promoting health, programming in schools, inclusive community-building, and more.

The USA Games will be a highlight of Special Olympics’ global 50th Anniversary celebration in 2018. Seattle’s selection as host site was based on many factors including the potential for large corporate and community support; being a major media market; the quality and capacity of athletic, special event and housing venues; ability to meet a Games’ infrastructural and volunteer needs; and a commitment to promoting the values and mission of Special Olympics.

The 2018 USA Games will bring athletes, families, and 10,000 fans from across the United States to the area, and based on prior Special Olympics USA Games, event organizers project that the USA Games could generate an economic impact of approximately $50 million for the Seattle area.

“We look forward to welcoming 3,500 athletes, their families, friends and supporters to Washington state in 2018,” Washington Governor Jay Inslee said. “The skills, courage and determination of these athletes is inspiring. Washington will model the spirit of Special Olympics – to be more aware and more inclusive. What a wonderful legacy these Games will leave behind.”

“Hosting the Special Olympics USA Games is about making a societal impact – not just locally, but throughout the United States,” said Dr. Timothy P. Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics and son of Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. “As a city that celebrates and embraces diversity, Seattle stands uniquely positioned to model for other communities how Special Olympics can be a catalyzing force for creating communities of increased acceptance, meaningful inclusion and respect. That’s the legacy we want these Games to leave: changed hearts and minds that open the doors to opportunity for people with intellectual disability.”