In less than one year – July 1-6, 2018 – more than 4,000 Special Olympics athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will gather in Seattle to compete before tens of thousands of spectators and volunteers. The 2018 USA Games will showcase the limitless talents of people with intellectual disabilities while promoting the barrier-breaking power of sport to promote inclusion and acceptance. To learn more visit https://www.specialolympicsusagames.org/

Among those 4,000 athletes and coaches will be one of our local athletes, participating as part of Team Florida.

Jennifer Averette, 37, who is from Key West, Florida will be compete in Standup Paddle (SUP), has been an athlete with Special Olympics Florida Monroe County from the age of 8. She has competed at the local, area and state level for a variety of sports; bowling, bocce, cycling, swimming, athletics and standup paddle.

The USA Games kick off on July 1, 2018, and will offer 14 Olympic-type sports: athletics (track and field), basketball, bocce, bowling, flag football, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, softball, stand up paddle boarding, swimming, tennis and volleyball. This is the first time that Monroe County has been invited to participate at the National Level of Special Olympics. Team SUP Florida will consist of 4 athletes from the state of Florida to compete in Standup Paddle for the inaugural year for the sport in USA Games. Jennifer and her teammates will be competing with an estimated number if 22 SUP athletes from around the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

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Founded in 1972, Special Olympics Florida- Monroe County provides free year-round sports training, competition, and health services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, as a means to achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, socialization skills, and the life skills necessary to be productive, respected, and contributing members of their communities. The organization welcomes competitors at all ability levels. To learn more about becoming an athlete, coach or volunteer, visit www.specialolympicsmonroe.org