8News gets a visit from Special Olympics Virginia CEO and president ahead of games

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- 8News received a visit Thursday morning from a guest with Special Olympics Virginia ahead of the summer games in June.

8News anchors Autumn Childress and Delaney Hall were joined by the president and CEO of Special Olympics Virginia, David Thomason, on Thursday, May 16, to discuss the Special Olympics Virginia Summer Games, which will be held from June 6 to June 7 at the University of Richmond.

The Special Olympics Virginia Summer Games are the largest annual competition for Special Olympics athletes in Virginia and over 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth will be going for the gold. Athletes will compete in multiple sports, including swimming, track and field, tennis and more.

Thomason said they will host the opening ceremony at the University of Richmond, which will also have the competition for track and field and tennis. Softball will be held at Glen Allen Softball Complex, bowling at the Bowlero West End and a swimming event as Swim RVA.

"There'll be entertainment. We have eight 'American Idol' contestants from this season," Thomason said of the opening ceremony at Robin's Stadium. "You'll also [see] the culmination of a 1908-day run from law enforcement torch run, who will be running from the torch across the state and the lighting of the Olympic caldron."

Athletes will also be given free health screenings, with about six disciplined offered.

"Our athletes are marginalized in a few ways when it comes to health care. Not so much that they don't have access always, but sometimes at the professionals, clinicians working with them may not have been trained to work with those with intellectual disabilities, which are the athletes we serve, so we are offering screenings in six disciplines."

Some of the disciplines include: auditory screenings, healthy teeth, vision, dermatology, wellness and more. Athletes can receive on-site dental care and have their eyes checked and receive a free pair of glasses.

For more information about the summer games, visit its website.