Team Indiana to receive heroes' sendoff to Special Olympics USA Games

A group of Indiana athletes will leave Saturday for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida.

Team Indiana family coordinator Julie Burkholder said a hero’s sendoff is planned for Saturday morning in Indianapolis, as the athletes, family and coaches depart on private planes.

“For some of these athletes this will be the first time they’ve been on an airplane in general, let alone a private jet, so how exciting to fly out and compete at USA Games,” Burkholder said.

The public is welcome to attend the sendoff at Million Air Indianapolis and Textron Aviation Indianapolis Service Center, 6921 Pierson Drive.

“Would love to have people come out and cheer us on, hold up some signs, send these athletes off to bring home the gold,”  Burkholder said.

Six private flights will depart throughout the morning with the first leaving at 8:08 a.m.

The 2022 USA Games are scheduled for June 5-12 and will bring together more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from across the United States and the Caribbean.

Team Indiana’s delegation will have 100 participants, including 51 athletes, 20 Unified partners, 19 coaches and 10 support staff.

The games will include competition in 19 Olympic-type sports. Indiana members are  participating in basketball, bocce, bowling, golf, softball, swimming, track and field and volleyball as well as youth leadership.

Contact WFYI Morning Edition newscaster and reporter Taylor Bennett at tbennett@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @TaylorB2213.