Coronavirus Updates & Information

Special Olympics Michigan coronavirus updates

Updated: May 8, 2020

Due to concerns related to the spread of the coronavirus, and from the Guidance of Special Olympics International (SOI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Special Olympics Michigan has made the decision to extend its postponement of in-person events through June 30, 2020.

This includes all in-person sport, training and competition activities as well as all in-person fundraising events.

Among the state and regional events impacted by this announcement are:

  • State Summer Games in Mt. Pleasant
  • State Basketball Finals in Grand Rapids
  • Regional Spring Games events
  • Regional Gymnastics events
  • Water Warriors Mackinaw Ride: Cancelled for 2020
  • Champions Together Breakfast in Detroit: rescheduled for July 31
  • Athletes Like Audrey Luncheon: rescheduled for August 24
  • Rev It Up Ride: working to reschedule event for sometime in the Fall

Along with this extension, SOMI has also decided to forgo its plan for an in-person, modified Summer Games event in July in favor of the first ever Special Olympics Michigan Virtual State Summer Games to be held the week of July 20.

Details for the Virtual Games are still being finalized but will include events and competitions that athletes and Unified partners can train for and compete in from the safety of home. Alongside these at-home athletic events, there will also be numerous interactive special events taking place across SOMI’s social media channels during the week of July 20 for athletes and Special Olympics volunteers and fans alike. More information on the Virtual Summer Games will be released in the very near future.

Special Olympics Michigan will continue to reevaluate the situation with Special Olympics International and local health departments and will provide guidance and updated information as needed.

Below are many helpful resources and digital materials to support prevention of COVID-19 and promote health among our athletes while events are being postponed and social distancing is in effect.

Fitness Resources

  • Fit 5 Series
    • Fit 5 Guide: Educational guide and tracker for athletes to focus on fitness.
    • Fitness Cards: A series of leveled exercises in endurance, strength and flexibility. These cards can be done at home and with little equipment.
    • Fitness Videos: Videos portraying the exercises in the fitness cards. Athletes can follow along with the videos to get a great workout!
  • Staying Fit at Home
    • A simple week-long calendar that athletes can follow to stay fit. This calendar can be repeated as needed. Athletes can sign up on the link in the resource to receive a newsletter with content from Health Messengers with tips and ideas on how to stay active.
  • School of Strength
    • An interactive online platform that encourages athletes to participate in a fun and engaging training program that they can do in the comfort of their own homes. Developed in partnership with WWE superstar Becky Lynch, this series of videos, a fitness tracker, a coach's playbook and a caregiver toolkit all contribute to helping athletes focus on nutrition and fitness and getting the most out of their workouts.

Young Athletes Resources

  • Family Flash Cards: Fun and engaging flashcards featuring each of the individual activities and at home equipment modifications for families to use at home to run Young Athletes.
  • Young Athletes at Home: Guide for families and caregivers on how to run Young Athletes activities at home.
  • Young Athletes Videos: Videos demonstrating the individual Young Athletes activities.
  • Healthy Play at Home: Poster for families to track the various healthy behaviors they do at home.
  • Tips to talking to children about COVID-19 from CDC and UNICEF.

Illness Prevention Tips

If you are exhibiting symptoms of the virus, contact your physician.

Staying Healthy

  • Keep moving
    • Exercise at home (30 minutes each day)
    • Endurance, strength, flexibility and balance exercises 
    • Ideas: To maintain fitness levels, challenge yourself (example: walk for one minute, run for one minute or jog for one minute, sprint for 30 seconds, repeat)
  • Eat healthy
    • Eat well-balanced meals. Half of your plate should be fruits and vegetables and half should be lean protein, whole grains and dairy
    • Eat healthy snacks like apples and peanut butter, low-fat yogurt with berries, carrots and celery with hummus, small handful of almonds
  • Stay hydrated
    • Drink at least 5 bottles of water at day (80 total ounces or more)

Additional Resources