Special Olympics Kansas announced Tuesday that the organization's Summer Games will be held at a new venue next year.
For the last three decades, Wichita State University has been home to the Special Olympics Summer Games. But in June, the Maize School District, just west of Wichita, will begin hosting the event.
Chris Hahn, CEO and president of Special Olympics Kansas, says the move will allow the program to work more closely with high school students.
"Special Olympics has an initiative with school-aged youth and young adults to involve them with Special Olympics and to get regular-ed students and special-needs students included together in activities and events," Hahn says. "So this is an opportunity for Special Olympics Kansas and also Maize to expand that opportunity."
Hahn says the change also allows his organization to hold their opening ceremony indoors, making it less contingent upon weather.
Next summer will be the 48th year that Special Olympics Kansas has held the event. Last year, more than 1300 individuals with intellectual disabilities competed in the Summer Games.
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