Special Olympics
has been a vital part of Civitan Services ever since former Executive Director Jim
Griffin started the first team of Civitan Olympians. Mr. Griffin worked hard on
both the local and state level to promote physical fitness and athletic competition.
Every year Civitan Olympians travel across the state to compete in regional and
state games in a variety of sports. Among the most popular events for our athletes
are powerlifting, bocce, bowling, track and field and basketball although our Olympians
have participated in almost every available sport.
In the summer of 2011, Civitan Services Special Olympian John Yates was chosen to
be a member of Team USA’s powerlifting squad. He traveled to California and Boston
to train with his new coaches and teammates before flying to Athens, Greece to compete
in the Special Olympics World Summer Games. John brought home four medals: Gold
for deadlift, Silver for squats, Silver for benchpress and Silver for men’s overall.
Way to go John!
Eunice Kennedy Shriver organized the first Special Olympic games in 1968 and the
games found their way to Arkansas in 1970. Today Civitan Services competes as a
part of Area 10 along with other groups from Saline, Clark, Garland, Hot Springs,
Montgomery and Pike counties. Contact the Area 10 Director.
Learn more about Special Olympics
on a National and International level.
Visit our calendar and see upcoming events for Civitan
Olympians.
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