Today at the World Winter Games – March 16
Athletes Have Arrived and Moved to Host Towns
After a big sendoff ceremony in Washington, D.C., the Special Olympics USA team arrived in Austria on Monday. The team flew into Vienna, Austria, where they were greeted by cheering hosts and treated to some of the local culture.
Yesterday the headed to Host Towns to acclimate to their surrounding and begin preparations to compete. Kentucky athletes Kelly McCormick and Patrick Tutsch will be in Schaldming or their Host Town with the rest of the alpine skiing team.
One highlight of the Host Town experience was a trip to the Zotter Chocolate Factory in Riegersburg, Austria, where athletes and coaches had the opportunity to learn about the chocolate-making process and sample some of the results.
Next up for the athletes will be the Opening Ceremonies this Saturday, March 18, in Schladming. The Opening Ceremonies can be seen live at 2 pm on ABC and open hours of coverage of the Games by ABC and ESPN.
The 2017 World Winter Games are bringing together more than 2,500 athletes from 171 countries to compete in nine sports. The Games run from March 18-25.
For more information about the World Winter Games or about the athletes competing, contact Mark Buerger, Director of Communications and External Relations at 502-695-8222 or [email protected].