Eastern Relays Announces inclusion of Unified Events
The Eastern Relays is pleased to announce the inclusion of Unified Track and Field events at the 2016 Eastern Relays. The meet, hosted by Eastern High School, will take place on April 29-30th at the University of Louisville's Cardinal Park.
On Friday April 29th, beginning at 4:30pm, Unified athletes will compete in the 100m, 400m, Shot Put, Long Jump, and 4x100m Relay.
Unified Sports is a program of the Special Olympics designed to promote inclusion through sports.
Unified Sports (from http://www.specialolympics.org/unified-sports.aspx):
Dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences, Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. In Unified Sports, teams are made up of people of similar age and ability, which makes practices more fun and games more challenging and exciting for all. Having sport in common is just one more way that preconceptions and false ideas are swept away.
Eastern Relays Meet Director Mike Horan, "I am thrilled to include Unified Events at the Eastern Relays. I have had the opportunity to get to know many of our Unified Athletes at Eastern both in the classroom and on the track and can't wait to see them compete on a big stage like the Eastern Relays!"
Eastern's Unified Track Coach Carol Bryar presented the idea this winter. "We have had a Unified Basketball team for 5 years, but this is our first year with a Unified track team. Our students are so excited about the chance to compete and represent Eastern at such a special event."
The Eastern Relays is a national class track meet hosted by Eastern High School. The meet will pit many of the top athletes and track teams from KY, IN, IL, TN, OH, MO, and NC. Full information and the meet schedule are posted at http://easternrelays.milesplit.com
Many thanks,
Mike Horan
Eastern HS
Eastern Relays