SPECIAL OLYMPICS

This is a big week for several athletes from Southwest Virginia, as they represent the Commonwealth in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.

Authorities do not suspect foul play.

Athletes taking part in the Special Olympics were flown in on private jets in the world's largest peacetime airlift.

The Special Olympics has dropped a coronavirus vaccine mandate for its games in Orlando after Florida moved to fine the organization $27.5 million for violating a state law against such requirements.

Nineteen athletes and coaches are representing Virginia during the Special Olympics USA games next month.

The annual Special Olympics "Little Feet Meet' brings together athletes of all abilities to celebrate inclusiveness, the joy of movement, and the thrill of competition.

A large crowd gathered in Radford to take the Polar Plunge Saturday afternoon to raise thousands of dollars for the Special Olympics.

It takes the support of individual plungers, fundraising teams and the community to make the Polar Plunge a success year-after-year.

While this year’s Polar Plunge will still be outside and in-person, it won’t be a run into the New River.

The biggest fundraiser for Special Olympics in Southwest Virginia takes place on Saturday, and hundreds of people are ready to be freezin' for a reason for a great cause.

Virginia’s Special Olympics basketball tournament kicked off on Sunday at the Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg.

In less than three weeks, the 10 News team and people from across Southwest Virginia will willingly take an icy dip into the New River for the annual Polar Plunge.

The annual New River Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics returns to Bisset Park in Radford for the 2022 event, after the 2021 event was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tuesday was a day to celebrate the spirit of competition and inclusion as the Special Olympics Big Feet Meet returned to William Fleming High School in Roanoke.

The Olympics and Paralympics have for decades been held in tandem, and both celebrate world-class athletic achievement. The Special Olympics differs in key ways.

The 2020 Summer Olympics Games finally get underway in Tokyo next week, but the Olympic athletes aren't the only ones excited to return to competition.

“As a parent of someone who will eventually participate in Special Olympics when she’s willing and able, I feel like it’s my responsibility to make sure that program is thriving,” Deanna Panatera said. “We want our Reese to be able to have that same experience and team companionship and healthy competition she sees her friends and family having.”

RICHMOND, Va. – Some of Virginia’s most notable athletes took a virtual trip to the Capitol Wednesday morning. Special Olympics Virginia representatives talked with state lawmakers about why their organization deserves funding. The speakers included Matt Crowder, a Special Olympian from Roanoke who spoke with Rep. Ben Cline. Crowder believes the organization has changed his life and will continue to do the same for others in his position. “It’s taught me to be responsible, it’s taught me how to be part of a team,” Crowder said.

DALEVILLE, Va. – Saturday marked another successful polar plunge benefitting Special Olympics Virginia. The scenery was a little different for this year’s Polar Plunge but the cause was the same. “We were freezin’ for a reason,” WSLS 10 News team co-captain and anchor Brittny McGraw said. “You can’t ask for a more worthy organization than the Special Olympics of Virginia,” Haniewich said. Thanks to your generous donations, the 10 News team also exceeded its goal, raising $6,650.

Look below and you can see what last year’s Polar Plunge, held at Bissett Park in Radford, looked like. Polar Plunge 2020With the coronavirus pandemic, many things have had to change, so this year, we cannot plunge at Bissett Park. I thought it was awesome you were raising money for Special Olympics,” said Ratkus. AdAdapted Aquatics is a program that teaches kids with special needs how to swim. Click here if you’d like to donate to the Special Olympics.

ROANOKE, Va. – The push to the 2021 Polar Plunge is on, as teams across Virginia are coming up with their own unique ways to plunge in support of Special Olympics Virginia. Special Olympics athletes are also coming up with their own ways to stay connected and active even though the pandemic has made that harder. Tim Cross and Matt Hall, both athletes with Special Olympics, teamed up to organize and lead a winter basketball clinic to keep fellow Special Olympics athletes active and engaged during the pandemic. “It was, to me, that’s what I’m looking for, that independent way of thinking.”They all encourage people to support Special Olympics because of the impact it has in the lives of athletes and volunteers. “This time, Special Olympics, is their time to shine.”To donate and support Special Olympics Virginia through the Polar Plunge, click here.

SALEM, Va. – The law enforcement community has been a longtime supporter of Special Olympics. Fadorick said she and her colleagues get to see firsthand how important Special Olympics is to its athletes. Ad“I can’t say it enough, it’s just so rewarding to interact with the athletes and see the appreciation and what they get out of the Special Olympics,” Fadorick said. “The Polar Plunge is one of the biggest fundraisers for Special Olympics and obviously with the pandemic, donations and fundraising are down significantly so it’s really important that people participate and support Special Olympics,” Fadorick said. AdPolar Plunge teams are encouraged to take the plunge between February 1-6.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The roster of teams continues to grow as people across Virginia get ready for this year’s Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Some of the teams participating in the 2021 Plunge have partnered with Special Olympics for years, including several fraternities and sororities from Virginia Tech and Radford University. “We’ve been really, really blessed to still be able to work with Special Olympics regularly, weekly, still see the athletes’ faces,” said Erin Upton, service officer for XDA. In years past, XDA members took part in a variety of sports with Special Olympics athletes. “In the past, XDA has worked with athletes and Special Olympics to do a variety of sports from swimming to bowling and everything in between,” Upton said.

ROANOKE, Va. – In less than a month, individuals and teams from across Virginia will take part in the 2021 Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Virginia, but with a twist. Instead, people get to “plunge their way” and decide how they want to take the plunge. Money raised by the event supports Special Olympics’ mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. As a proud sponsor, WSLS 10 is participating and raising money to help Special Olympics. Special Olympics Virginia is planning a week of Polar Plunge activities starting February 1 and ending with a virtual celebration on February 6.

(Gary Schottle via AP)Gary Schottle arrived in time to see the other kids in line hitting and jumping on his young son. Special Olympics changed everything. Special Olympics has since branched out to more than 170 countries, empowering more than 5 million athletes who had often been cast aside. In 20 years of Special Olympics competition, Tank's confidence has soared, his leadership spreading across playing fields, the Houston area and beyond. Once one of the bullied, he has become a living embodiment of the Special Olympics message.

The annual event raises money to support the athletes and mission of Special Olympics Virginia. The upcoming plunge will look different because of the pandemic, as participants get to plunge their way. “We are looking for a hot tub to do it,” said Joey Wheeler, an Area 9 Special Olympics athlete. Special Olympics knows, no matter how participants plunge, it will make a big splash in the lives of their athletes and volunteers. Click here for more information on the 2021 Polar Plunge and how to get involved.

Special Olympics was always more than the competition, though, she said. Everyone involved became close. She knew Moose watched “The Wizard of Oz” countless times, and that he knew all the words and the songs. He and some of the other athletes also loved Elvis, offering facts about his life or dancing to his music. A few picked Elvis as their costume for several Halloweens.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – More than 200 teams across the Commonwealth have signed up to take the Polar Plunge to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Virginia. The annual Polar Plunge supports the programs and mission of Special Olympics, which works to provide year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Athletes and volunteers have turned to virtual events and individual fitness challenges to stay together despite being physically apart. “If we don’t keep our athletes and volunteers together, those connections will come apart, so that’s a lot of what we’ve been trying to work on,” said Nancy Morehouse, Southwest Region Director for Special Olympics Virginia. Special Olympics athletes and volunteers have enjoyed virtual dance parties, Halloween-themed get-togethers and socially-distanced fitness competitions to stay connected during the pandemic.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – In just a few weeks, athletes, volunteers and community members from all across Virginia will once again take the plunge to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Virginia. Special Olympics Virginia had to suspend in-person activities in March, but since then athletes, volunteers and staff have found one sport in particular that works well with COVID-19 restrictions. Bocce proved to be an ideal sport for Special Olympics’ unified programming, which brings together athletes with and without disabilities. “Special Olympics means to me being involved with other activities and just being out there having fun with friends, " Wheeler said. For more information about Special Olympics Virginia and the 2021 Polar Plunge, click here.

ROANOKE, Va. – In a year where the value of life has made headlines across our nation, Special Olympics Virginia hopes to continue that fight into 2021 with your help. The nonprofit works to improve the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities through sports. For every dollar donated, 89 cents goes right into the program to help athletes. For the second year, WSLS 10 is a proud partner of Special Olympics Virginia, raising money for the nonprofit as part of its Polar Plunge. Click here if you’d like to donate.

Due to COVID-19, Special Olympics Virginia can’t hold an in-person event, so in 2021, everyone can take the plunge into their own hands. “The really important thing this year, we feel, is that we keep our athletes and families and volunteers engaged," said Nancy Morehouse, the director of the southwest region for Special Olympics Virginia. The Polar Plunge is the nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser to support its more than 23,000 athletes. In total, the plunge raised $61,000 in Southwest Virginia and about $1.5 million statewide. We’re just going let everybody decide how they’re going to do the plunge," said Morehouse.

Each year, local law enforcement officers run the ceremonial torch across the state to kick off the games. The officers all had slightly different reasons for doing so, but the common theme is that they want to raise awareness, and ultimately money, for Special Olympics. “I run because it’s healthy; it’s fun," said Special Olympics athlete Erica Bookout. “It’s just been a goal of our police department to always support athletes and Special Olympics,” said Nathan Delp, Christiansburg Police Department investigator. The goal of this year’s virtual run is for everyone participating to collectively run 1,900 miles, the distance of the traditional torch run, between June 8 and June 12.

The Polar Plunge benefits Special Olympics Virginia through fundraising leading up to the event. This year, the Polar Plunge raised nearly $60,000 for Special Olympics Virginia, surpassing the organization’s goal of $55,000. It’s really exciting to see.”'WSLS 10 raised more than $8,500 for the Polar Plunge, which was second-most among all fundraising teams. The top team was the Virginia Tech chapter of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, who raised nearly $15,000. "A week into me being in the organization, they had me raise money for the Polar Plunge, so they get you started early with that kind of stuff.”The money raised during the Polar Plunge will be used for a myriad of important costs within Special Olympics Virginia.

RADFORD, Va. – The countdown is on and we’re just one day away from the New River Polar Plunge. Many members of the 10 News team are diving into the freezing water to help raise money for Special Olympics Virginia. 10 News isn’t the only team -- several groups are raising money, including the Western Virginia Regional Jail. This is the jail’s first year taking part in the plunge, but it’s not their first time fundraising and being involved with the Special Olympics. To donate to the New River Polar Plunge, click here.

The weeknight news producer is one of WSLS-10′s Polar Plunge team, braving the icy waters to benefit Special Olympics. So we turn to Rail Yard Dawgs assistant coach and Minnesota native Cal Miska for some helpful tips on how to handle the cold. “Are there any tips or moves I need to do to stay warm?”(after the plunge) Wills inquired. To complete her training, Wills worked on increasing her agility and comfort where penguins are most comfortable -- on the ice. The preparation drills Wills worked on included the Penguin slide, the ice angel, the Penguin flop, the Klondike skate and of course, the ‘icy groove’.

ROANOKE, Va. – A local gym is supporting the effort by WSLS to raise money for Special Olympics. Saturday morning, Brickhouse Crossfit in Roanoke held a fundraising workout. All month, 10 News has been raising money to participate in the New River Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. So far, we’ve raised over $4,000 and more than $26,000 has been raised overall by participants. That’s one of the pieces of our mission,” Brickhouse Crossfit owner Ryan Robertson said.

The brothers have traveled the world participating in Special Olympics competitions. Ben recently returned from the Special Olympics Sweden Invitational where he earned a silver medal in the giant slalom. Both agree, Special Olympics has shaped who they are. "Without running and Special Olympics, I probably wouldn't be running right now or playing basketball either," Josh said. Ben and Josh said they now have their sights set on qualifying for the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Floyd County native Blake Hairston is taking his basketball talents to Chicago for the NBA’s All-Star Weekend. Hairston is one of twelve Special Olympics athletes worldwide selected for the NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Sports Game. Special Olympics Virginia announced Hairston’s honor during its basketball tournament at Virginia Tech on Sunday, which Hairston participated in. The game pairs up athletes such as Hairston with basketball legends such as Muggsy Bogues and Dikembe Mutombo. Hairston will leave for Chicago this week; he hopes his selection will inspire Special Olympics athletes all across the region.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – An important basketball game happened at Virginia Tech’s Cassell Coliseum on Sunday, but the Hokies never touched the court. Rather, Special Olympics Virginia’s Southwest Region basketball tournament attracted 25 teams around the region to Blacksburg. “Out of all of the places they play, Tech is their favorite place,” said April Alley, who coaches Pulaski County’s Special Olympics basketball team. “They love it.”Although Virginia Tech’s basketball team gave up the Cassell Coliseum court to the Special Olympics athletes, Hokie basketball players watched from the sidelines and cheerleaders helped the athletes make a glamorous entrance into the arena. The tournament kicks off a significant month for Special Olympics Virginia.

One fraternity that is passionate about the New River Polar Plunge and Special Olympics Virginia is Phi Sigma Kappa at Virginia Tech. The fraternity has participated in the Polar Plunge since it started 11 years ago. The fraternity has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Polar Plunge and Special Olympics Virginia, and aims to raise more than $19,000 for this year's Polar Plunge and about $55,000 total throughout the year for Special Olympics. Lavey and Miller said their philanthropy week is a great way to get all of Hokie nation involved with Special Olympics. This year’s New River Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics takes place Saturday, February 22 at Bisset Park in Radford.

ROANOKE, Va. – Excitement is building for the 2020 New River Polar Plunge, which benefits Special Olympics Virginia, and one athlete is especially eager to dive right in. "I'm very excited for it and it's going to be a lot of fun," said Nicholas D'Elicio, an athlete and global messenger with Special Olympics Virginia. D'Elicio, of Roanoke, said he discovered Special Olympics' programs about five years ago with the help of a friend. As a global messenger, D'Elicio spreads the word about the work Special Olympics Virginia is doing in the community and in the lives of its athletes. The 2020 New River Polar Plunge will take place Saturday, February 22 at Dudley’s Landing at Bisset Park in Radford.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Hundreds of people are eagerly awaiting the chance to take an icy dip into the New River next month, as a part of this year’s New River Polar Plunge. “It gets really exciting, especially if there’s snow on the river bank,” said Nancy Morehouse, Southwest Region Director of Special Olympics Virginia. 10 News is excited to partner with Special Olympics Virginia to support the Polar Plunge, which is the main fundraiser for Special Olympics programming in southwest Virginia. The 2020 New River Polar Plunge will take place Saturday, Feb. 22 at Dudley’s Landing at Bisset Park in Radford. You can help support Special Olympics' mission by making a donation to this year's Polar Plunge or signing up to take the Plunge.

The New River Polar Plunge is set for Feb. 22 at Dudley’s Landing in Radford’s Bisset Park. Check-in registration begins at 10 a.m. with the Plunge set for 12:30 p.m. The funds raised from this event help Special Olympics Virginia and its mission to help more than 25,000 athletes of all abilities. This year, the plunge is looking to raise $55,000. Not looking to take the plunge yourself but still want to donate?

The officers stood at attention Friday as the national anthem played, but all eyes were on one veteran cop in particular. It was a drug deal gone bad, Weigt told KPHO-TV. "I'd been wanting to stand for the national anthem for 14 years," Weigt, a former United States infantry soldier, told TODAY. When everything hushed and the drums started, Im telling you, everything just went right into place, Weigt told KPHO-TV. That was probably the most special thing," Weigt said of being able to connect with the events participants.

LYNCHBURG, Va. - Local police officers shout from rooftops for a good cause. On Monday, to help raise money for the Lynchburg-area Special Olympics, police officers welcomed Hardee's customers in the drive-thru on Candler's Mountain. It's the first year, officers say, they've climbed a building for this cause. "That money goes through the Special Olympics organization and that facilitates the athletes and their families in order to travel to the special Olympic events. It pays for lodging, pays for their health care, vision and dental, almost all of their expenses are paid for through those funds," Sgt.

First Lady Michelle Obama and award-winning singers Stevie Wonder and Justin Beiber were just a few of the notables inaugurating this year's Special Olympics in Los Angeles. CBSN's Contessa Brewer covers the opening events.