Special Olympics athletes descend on McLean County for basketball tournament

McLEAN COUNTY (25News Now) - More than 1,000 Special Olympics athletes are in Bloomington-Normal competing in the 2023 Basketball Tournament Friday and Saturday.

Starting back in 1975, this year marks the 48th state-level basketball tournament hosted at Illinois State’s Horton Fieldhouse.

In 2002, the tournament expanded to the Shirk Center at Illinois Wesleyan.

The competition started earlier Friday. The opening ceremony for Saturday’s games is at 6:30 p.m. followed by the victory dance and laser tag at 7 p.m.

Special Olympics Illinois offers year-round training and competition in 18 sports for athletes with intellectual disabilities.