PHOTOS: Special Olympics Virginia held summer 2025 games

VENN VENN
Jun 7, 2025 - 18:25
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PHOTOS: Special Olympics Virginia held summer 2025 games

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A few weeks after 8News received a visit from the president and CEO of the Special Olympics, the Special Olympics Virginia Summer Games were held over a warm June weekend.

The games, held for two days on June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond, featured over 1,200 athletes from across Virginia competing in a variety of sports, including swimming, track and field, tennis and more.

Softball was held at Glen Allen Softball Complex, bowling at the Bowlero West End and a swimming event at Swim RVA.

On Saturday, June 7, they held a breakfast at the Heilman Dining Center to kick off the games before multiple races, tournaments and other sporting events took place throughout the day.

"Our athletes come here to earn medals for sure, but they come here to show all of us how people of all abilities can continue to redefine their own possible," said President and CEO of Special Olympics Virginia, David Thomason. "So when our athletes leave here, they won medals or ribbons, they leave with a restored sense of self-esteem."

"We help everyone understand the value of each person," he added.

Trasean Singletary of Virginia Beach won the silver medal and trained seven days a week for 11 years. He has been participating in the Special Olympics for six years.

"I keep on believing in myself, training hard every day and keep on pushing myself hard, and tell myself, 'don't give up and don't surrender,'" Singletary said.

The event is a free event to the public, and can allow people to challenge themselves to leave unchanged, Thomason added.

The following was the Saturday schedule for events:

  • 8 a.m.: Track & Field Competition Robins Stadium Track
  • 9 a.m.: Swimming, Tennis, Softball Begin Swim RVA, Tennis Courts, Softball Complex
  • 9:15 a.m.: Bowling Tournament Bowlero West End
  • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Olympic Town Robins Center Parking Lot
  • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Healthy Athletes Screenings Robins Center
  • 2 to 5:30 p.m.: Swim Awards Robins Center Mezzanine
  • 4:30 to 7 p.m.: Dinner (Delegations Only) Dinner
  • 7 to 9 p.m.: Olympic Celebration, Robins Center / Robins Stadium

Continue scrolling to see photos from the summer 2025 Special Olympics Virginia games.

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

Special Olympics Virginia was held from June 6 to June 7, at the University of Richmond featuring 1,200 athletes from across the Commonwealth. (Photo: William Berksteiner, 8News)

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