Special Olympics Washington adds bocce ball to Summer Games

The Special Olympics Washington Summer Games are returning to Snohomish County — and this time they’re bringing a new sport.

Bocce ball has been added to the program this year, meaning this year’s Washington Summer Games will be bigger than ever.

“I think it’s going to be a great weekend with great weather,” said Dan Wartelle, the vice president of communications for Special Olympics Washington. “I encourage people to come out and watch the games. These are the best athletes in the state. They’ve worked hard all summer to take home the gold for their communities and for themselves. It’s a great opportunity to see athletes play like champs.”

Snohomish county annually hosts the Special Olympics Washington Summer Games. The games typically have consisted of softball and golf. However, this year bocce ball joins those two as sports.

“It’s really a result of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games coming to Seattle,” Wartelle said about the reason for the addition of bocce ball. “They’ve added bocce ball, so we decided to offer it to our athletes so they can qualify for the team. The sport has grown tremendously. The athletes like it.”

Approximately 1,000 athletes are expected to take part in this year’s Washington Summer Games, which serve as a qualifier for next year’s USA Games.

The event kicks off with the opening ceremonies, which take place at 7 p.m. Friday at Civic Auditorium on the campus of Everett High School.

Softball and bocce ball will be played Saturday and Sunday at Kasch Park in Everett. Games are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Softball features teams, while bocce ball features individuals along with unified pairs (in which a Special Olympian competes alongside a non-Special Olympian).

Golf takes place all day Saturday at Battle Creek Golf Course in Marysville. That’s a change of venue from past years, when the competition took place at Walter Hall Golf Course in Everett. Golf also features both individuals and unified pairs.