First Virtual Endeavor Games Kick Off
First Virtual Endeavor Games Kicks off Today, June 4
FORT WAYNE, IN (June 4, 2020) – Turnstone Center and the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) welcome 464 athletes from seven countries online for the first-of-its-kind Virtual Endeavor Games event that begins today and runs through Saturday, June 6. Turnstone and UCO have adapted this event to an online platform to carry on its 21-year legacy as the nation’s largest multi-sport, multi-disability event despite COVID-19 limitations.
The 2020 virtual event includes a virtual team challenge, e-sport gaming, and nine individual sport challenges – 5K, archery, air rifle shooting, cycling, swimming, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, track and field.
Additionally, there will be a virtual welcome party and 12 live virtual sport clinics including four new sport disciplines that have never been offered before in any Endeavor Games event– Nordic skiing, paratriathlon, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis. The online event also features a clinic specific to coaches for the first time.
Moving the event to an online platform has increased the event’s footprint, making it the first Endeavor Games with global representation. Participants in this year’s virtual event hail from 43 U.S. states, two U.S. territories and seven total countries represented.
The accessibility of the virtual event also makes the Endeavor Games a unique sport experience. With the Endeavor Games clinics taking place online, it provides a rare opportunity for athletes to learn directly from experts and experienced Olympians and Paralympians.
The clinics will be facilitated by top coaches and staff from each sport’s national governing body. These clinic instructors include: Cathy Sellers, former director of U.S. Paralympics Track and Field; Mary Hodge, high performance manager of U.S. Paralympic Powerlifting; Jason Harnett, national manager and head coach of U.S. Wheelchair Tennis; and, James Gumbert, head coach of U.S. Wheelchair Rugby.
Turnstone Center traditionally hosts the first leg of the annual Endeavor Games Series, welcoming athletes from around the Midwest to Fort Wayne for a weekend of sport events in April. With both legs of the Endeavor Games Series joining as one for the online event, Turnstone is proud to welcome 15 athletes from the state of Indiana, with five specifically from Fort Wayne and surrounding areas.
Turnstone athlete, Maggie Peters, has competed in every Endeavor Games event hosted by Turnstone and will be joining the online event this year, as well. Looking forward to her fourth year competing, Peters says, “I’m excited to see how quarantine has affected the different races I’ll take part in.”
Throughout this weekend, athletes will compete in challenges from their homes and attend clinics starting today, June 4th through Saturday, June 6th. Clinics will run as follows:
Thursday, June 4:
Archery – 11 a.m.
Paratriathalon – 1 p.m.
Wheelchair Football – 3 p.m.
Seated Track & Field – 5 p.m.
Friday, June 5:
Boccia – 9 a.m.
Powerlifting – 10 a.m.
Track & Field Coaches – 11 a.m.
Wheelchair Tennis – 1 p.m.
Ambulatory Track & Field – 3 p.m.
Nordic Skiing – 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 6:
Swimming – 11 a.m.
Wheelchair Rugby – 1 p.m.
Goalball – 3 p.m. (subject to change)
Cycling – 5 p.m.
Despite uncertain and unique circumstances, Turnstone and UCO are excited to celebrate the spirit of sport and adaptive athletes from around the world. This will be a special event to remind individuals with disabilities that their athletic goals still matter.