This year, the spirit of inclusivity will blaze brightly under the Virginia night sky as the Special Olympics Virginia Summer Games prepares to host Opening Ceremony, championing the theme of "Everybody Can." The ceremony, disability-led and focused, is slated to commence at 7:15 PM, heralding a unique spectacle of talents, inclusion, and unity.
Honoring Achievements: The Annual Award Winners Take Center Stage
The night will begin with a tribute to our Annual Award winners, shining a spotlight on their outstanding achievements over the past year. These awards reflect the talents of the athletes, coaches, volunteers, and other essential stakeholders within the Special Olympics community. These award winners, who have gone above and beyond in their respective roles, are living proof of the event's theme that "Everybody Can."
Let The Games Begin
Following our Annual Awards presentation, the Ceremony will continue with our hosts, Alex Hansen and GeNienne Samuels. Alex Hansen is a Special Olympics Virginia athlete and Global Messenger from Fairfax, Virginia. GeNienne is a CBS6 evening news anchor with a passion for our community.
The two will introduce numerous speakers from the community before ultimately kicking it over to members of law enforcement who will run the flame into Robin's Stadium to officially kick off the 2023 Special Olympics Virginia Summer Games.
Also, in attendance will be performer Gifted Hands. “Gifted Hands,” born Immanuel Mitchell, is an American music artist and songwriter whose music is positive and inspirational. He has been making music since the young age of 12 and resides in Virginia Beach. Music has been his constant outlet, fueling his desire to inspire anyone who would listen by sharing his life experiences, lessons learned and point of view with the world.