Media covering Special Olympics West Virginia Summer Games June 7-9 at West Virginia University must check-in at a special registration tent located in the Shell Building Parking Lot directly in front of the Natatorium. Press packets and required media credentialing will be available, as well as venue maps and event schedules. Help facilitating interviews and photos will be provided as needed. Highlights of this years games include:

• A statewide torch run led by state law enforcement officers. The torch leaves the leaves the Sabraton Hardees at 10 a.m. with a 11 a.m. estimated time of arrival at the WVU Coliseum on Friday, June 7. Later, a Charleston police officer and a Wayne County Special Olympian will run it into the Coliseum during 8 p.m. opening ceremonies, signifying the official start of the games

• 8 p.m. Opening Ceremonies on Friday, June 7, at the WVU Coliseum. There will be a parade of nearly 700 athletes from approximately 30 counties, the lighting of the Flame of Hope, and Tim Shriver, national president and CEO of Special Olympics, will speak, among other presenters. Immediately following, a special fireworks display will be held near the Shell Building Parking Lot, close to the outdoor track lot

• A 7 -10 p.m. Victory Dance on Saturday, June 8, at the Evansdale Residential Center tennis courts

• Closing ceremonies from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, at the WVU outside track near the Coliseum

• Demonstrations of new sports including golf from 12:30-1:30 p.m., WVU Rugby Field, and equestrian, from 2:30 -3:30 p.m., Star Citys Anker Field, both on Saturday. From 10-11 a.m. on Sunday, June 9, there will be a soccer demonstration

WVU Public Safety Officers will be available throughout the weekend to help media with and special parking needs. For more information, or help setting up interviews in advance, please call Karen Zeller, 304-293-5520.