There’s a report that the Iowa Special Olympics Winter Games would be called off because of the mild weather so far this winter. Special Olympics C-E-O Rich Fellingham says that’s not so. After a meeting of the staff he says they’re not canceling the winter games.
“There will be some changes that we’ll have to make, because there definitely is a lack of snow because of the warm temperatures.” The Special Olympics Winter games are scheduled for the Sundown Mountain ski and resort area in Dubuque. Sundown can make snow, but won’t be able to make enough for every event, he says.
Downhill skiing competition and ice-skating will go on as planned, and alternative locations will be sought for events, that could mean things snowshoeing on grass. “The only event that we may have to cancel would be cross-country skiing, and that is one of our smaller number of athletes.” He says they could go over and participate in the showshoe events.
The forecast this week is for temperatures in the thirties and forties across much of the state, continuing the trend for near-record mild weather so far this winter. “Everybody loves this nice warm weather,” Fellingham says, “except when you need snow and want to do skiing. It has been a nightmare.” He says this would have been the first time the Winter Games would have been canceled, but says they will not cancel the games.
Related web sites:
Iowa Special Olympics Winter Games