On March 16, Special Olympics International (SOI) announced it wants all Special Olympics Programs to cancel all in-person events through May 31, 2020, at which point the situation will be reassessed for updated guidance. The decision to extend this social distancing period was made in light of the most recent direction provided by the CDC. SOI’s CEO noted that since the coronavirus pandemic is quickly spreading across the USA and national borders, the global footprint of Special Olympics necessitates a proportionate response. Special Olympics North Carolina will comply with SOI’s request. You are aware that SONC had already cancelled all events through May 15, 2020, so this extended cancellation from SOI comes as no surprise.
Unfortunately, this news means that the 2020 SONC Summer Games scheduled for May 29-31 is cancelled. Rescheduling Summer Games to later in the year is not possible given the complexity of organizing the event and the fact that future coronavirus cancellations may be extended beyond May.
Keith L. Fishburne
President & CEO
Special Olympics North Carolina
