RICHMOND, Ky. — The Special Olympics Kentucky State Summer Games will return to Eastern Kentucky University June 2–4.

The event will also return to its full pre-pandemic schedule this year, including the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg and a full Opening Ceremony on Friday, June 2. Competition will begin on Friday and Saturday, with a Closing Ceremony and victory dance on Saturday evening.

The Summer Games are Special Olympics Kentucky’s largest event of the year, with over 1,000 athletes competing in four sports, and hundreds of coaches and volunteers also taking part. This will be the 29th consecutive year that EKU has hosted the Games.

Summer Games activities get underway early on June 2 in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort with the opening of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg at 9 a.m. The Opening Ceremonies will include an appearance by Gov. Andy Beshear and Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett.

The Final Leg group will then head to the Capitol steps for the lighting of the Special Olympics Torch, followed by a run from the Capitol. Final Leg participants will then carry the torch to Richmond for the Summer Games Opening Ceremonies.

Other stops along the Final Leg include the annual celebration at Stewart Home and School in Frankfort, a pit stop at Transylvania University and the Wildcat statue in Lexington and then a stop at the Richmond Police Department before arriving at EKU.

Opening Ceremonies for the Games will begin at 6 p.m. on June 2 in The Ravine near the center of the EKU campus (weather permitting). The Ceremonies will include the introduction of athletes and the lighting of the Special Olympics cauldron.

The torch will be carried in by 2022 Athlete Volunteer of the Year Phillip Riley of Nicholasville and the cauldron will be lit by 2022 Special Olympics Kentucky Athlete of the Year Caitlin Roy of Finchville. The Games will be declared open by 2022 Volunteer of the Year Brian Parsley.

Athletes will compete in track and field, bocce, soccer, rhythmic gymnastics and a softball throw competition.

All events are open to the public, and there is no admission charge.