Released by Special Olympics South Carolina.
Statement from Special Olympics South Carolina President and CEO, Mr. Barry Coats
Special Olympics South Carolina is taking steps to limit the spread of COVID-19. Due to the recent positive cases of COVID-19 in South Carolina, Special Olympics South Carolina will be canceling three state-wide events;- State Basketball (March 14),
- Statehouse Rally for Special Olympics (March 31)
- State Cheer Competition (April 25).
In addition to canceling these state events, as of March 10, we are suspending all local competitions and practices until March 31, 2020. Special Olympics Programs worldwide are very strongly advised to suspend all sport training and competition activities and other activations involving our athletes through 31 March 2020, at which time the situation will be reevaluated.
These events include: all local team practices as well as any Spring Games being held in the month of March.
Area 14 Swim Invitational in Anderson and the Area 11 Swim Invitational in Rock Hill have also been canceled.
We do not make these decisions lightly. Canceling events has a huge impact on more than 30,000 children and adults in our program, as well as thousands of coaches, volunteers, Unified Partners and family members.
Local area programs have already begun their practices for their sports and were looking forward to having these competitions. Our first priority is the safety of not only our athletes but our coaches, volunteers, family members and SO family in general.
In light of the ongoing global concern regarding COVID-19, we are doing everything we can to be proactive in protecting our athletes, volunteers, coaches and the entire SO community. Special Olympics International, together with their regional offices worldwide, are monitoring the situation very closely. They have been in touch with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and others regarding the situation and recommended guidance, in relation to the particular risks our athletes may face, due to increased risk of respiratory conditions, pneumonia and death from influenza.
