Community. Competition. Exhilarating. Fun. Happy. Cheering. Medals. Authenticity. Dancing. Preparation. Brave.

These are some of the words athletes and volunteers use to describe the 2024 Special Olympics Massachusetts Summer Games, which brought together more than 1,500 athletes and 1,000 volunteers for an inclusive multi-sport weekend at the Harvard University Athletic Complex.

The largest annual event run by SOMA, this year’s Summer Games featured three days of inclusion, fun and high-level competition with athletes earning medals and showing the Commonwealth what they are capable of.

Athletes from every county across Massachusetts participated in sports including track & field, powerlifting, swimming, tennis, volleyball and the Bio-Ball basketball tournament.

The Summer Games week started off strong on Monday, June 23, as we inducted four new members of the Special Olympics Massachusetts Hall of Fame.

Leading up to the Games, the Final Leg team hit the road on Monday to hype up the Special Olympics MA community ahead of the exciting weekend.

Friday

The Opening Day featured inclusive competition, singing, dancing and engaging conversation everywhere athletes and volunteers turned throughout the complex.

Starting at 12:30, the Summer Games Bio-Ball tournament paired Special Olympics Massachusetts athletes with staff from Boston biotech companies. The Bio-Ball festivities included a free throw competition, skills challenges and 5-on-5 basketball games deciding the tournament winner.

“I think Bio-Ball is one of the most fun events here. It includes everybody with different teams, athletes, volunteers, coaches and people coming in from all over,” says Randolph resident Terry Lapomarede, who competed with the Dorchester Blue Devils Bio-Ball team.

“With each skill game, everybody had a goal. Our team’s players wanted to beat the previous high score of 31 three-pointers made,” Lapomarede says. “My team came in, crushed it and the kids just loved it. It’s been so nice to see all these kids improving each day and meeting new parents at track and powerlifting events, too.”

After Bio-Ball wrapped up and athletes arrived at the complex, all guests came together at Olympic Town to enjoy dinner, community vendors, outdoor games and music from 98.5 the SportsHub.

The Opening Ceremony kicked off with the Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums entering Harvard Stadium followed by members of the Boston Police Department.

Highlights from the Opening Ceremony, co-hosted by CEO Mary Beth McMahon and Global Messenger Amanda Church, include the Parade of Athletes—a spectator-favorite from the entire weekend. Athletes representing communities across the Commonwealth from Berkshire to Barnstable counties paraded across the field, receiving cheers from the crowd packing the Stadium seats and high-fives from Boston Police Department officers lining the field.

North Reading High School student Lily Abenaim performed a spectacular rendition of the National Anthem, followed by guests taking the microphone for the reciting of the Special Olympics Athlete and Official Pledges.

The Ceremony also featured the Worcester Dance team putting on a show, performing a well-rehearsed routine to the Black Eyed Peas’ “Let’s Get It Started” to the delight of the jubilant Ceremony crowd.

Coached by Special Olympics Massachusetts marketing manager Ali Phaneuf, the Worcester Dance Team practiced its routine every Wednesday for more than ten weeks.

“It was great. I got everybody going – the whole crowd who was there,” says Liz Hackett, a member of the Worcester Dance Team and participant in the 100 meter freestyle swimming heat at the Games.

The Opening Ceremony culminated in the Final Leg Team lighting the cauldron, with the hosts then officially declaring the start of the 2024 Summer Games!

Saturday

On the second day of the Games, competition picked up across the Harvard Athletic Complex with athletes putting their skills, preparation and teamwork to the ultimate test.

Family and friends cheered on athletes competing in tennis events throughout the day. With competition for multiple sports taking place at the same time across the Harvard Complex throughout the weekend, athletes competed in swimming heats and volleyball matches starting on Saturday, too.

Starting at 10:00, athletes showcased their strength, bravery and preparation in powerlifting competitions at Harvard’s Palmer Dixon Strength & Conditioning Center.

Spectators also enjoyed the Cruiser Convoy on the second day of the Games. Law Enforcement vehicles from cities across the Commonwealth from Wellfleet to Springfield stopped by the Games to lap the Stadium, flash their lights and blare their sirens in support of our Special Olympics athletes.

Sunday

The third and final day of the Games kept the ball rolling for a strong finish to the Summer Games weekend.

Despite inclement weather, athletes competed in outdoor and indoor events as friends and family rooted them on to close out the weekend. The resilient athletes notably took to the track for various events throughout the day in cold and rainy weather, emphasizing their commitment to putting their skills to the test rain or shine.

Spirited, nail-biting volleyball matches continued Sunday as athletes continued uplifting and supporting each other in the spirit of sportsmanship and determination.

The final day also featured an exciting set of Young Athletes sports and competitions, bringing together athletes, families and volunteers at the Gordon Indoor Track.

With athletes and spectators also packing the Blodgett Pool for swimming competitions, the final day offered ample opportunity for athletes to add to the many medals earned and wonderful memories made at the 2024 Summer Games!