It became a summer tradition in Madison County.

Athletes from across the state flocked to the Eastern Kentucky University campus on the first weekend in June for the Kentucky State Summer Games Special Olympics.

This event has been held in Richmond for 25 years in a row.

Unfortunately, the line will end soon.

The Kentucky Special Olympics announced earlier this month that the 2020 Summer Games were canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis.

This event is scheduled for 5 to 7 June.

“To be honest, it’s really heartbreaking to make that decision,” said Mark Buerger, director of communications and external relations for the Kentucky Special Olympics. “We are faced with no other choice that is really good.”

Many other organizations have had to make the same difficult decisions in the last few weeks.

Special Olympics Kentucky officials not only care about problems with social distance and restrictions at large gatherings, they are determined to protect the integrity of the competition.

Athletes are required to train and compete in regional events ahead of state matches.

That has not been possible for nearly the past two months.

“Once they are not allowed to train and then we are not allowed to hold our spring qualifications, there is no way we will be able to hold the Summer Games in a way that is responsible for our programs and athletes and the work they do every day,” said Buerger.

There are more than 11,000 Special Olympic athletes in Kentucky, competing in 15 athletic activities.

“We have athletes from almost every region in the state,” said Buerger.

That includes a very strong local contingent.

Madison County Special Olympics has more than 100 athletes, ranging from ages 8 to 54, who compete throughout the year in six sports – track and field, basketball, golf, softball, flag football, and bowling.

Not all of these athletes compete at the annual Summer Games, but this event certainly has additional meaning for those who are bound to the Madison County organization.

“We have many volunteers who help and participate in whatever way they can at the Summer Olympics,” said Jamie Moore of the Madison County Special Olympics. “We were there a few days before when they started to prepare and were at the end to clean up. We were very separate from the event.”

Moore said that he knew that canceling the Summer Olympics and all other Special Olympic activities was very hard for everyone in the organization.

“I have many athletes who send me messages, asking when we will start again,” Moore said. “Everyone wants to see their friends and become active again.

The Kentucky State Summer Games Special Olympics featured around 1,400 athletes competing in five sports – track and field, swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, and bocce.

This organization holds many events throughout the state in other sports, especially bowling, but a trip to Richmond every year is something everyone is waiting for.

“This has been the most exciting weekend of the year,” said Buerger. “Richmond and EKU are the spiritual heart of our program. We have spent half of our program there.”

The Kentucky State Summer Games Special Olympics migrated around the Commonwealth for more than two decades, changing locations every two years.

Until the event found a permanent home in EKU.

“Our athletes, families and volunteers hope to come to Richmond every year, and there is a good reason for that. That’s because the city and the university have treated us so well for every 25 years before,” said Trish Mazzoni, President / CEO, Kentucky Special Olympics. “Every trip to Richmond feels like coming home. We are very grateful for the welcome and hospitality of this city. We will miss you all year long, and we can’t wait to see you in 2021.”

The game will return to Richmond.

But this year’s cancellation disappointed athletes for various reasons.

They won’t be able to compete, of course, but they also won’t get some additional benefits from this program.

Every year, the Kentucky Special Olympics hosts the Healthy Athlete Wellness Village at a summer event, where athletes can go through six different screening services – teeth, vision, hearing, podiatry, flexibility, and strong minds.

“We provide free glasses through our Eye Opening Program,” Buerger. “So, that’s just another thing athletes will miss.”

The organization has put in place a way for the public to support Special Olympics athletes in Kentucky.

Virtual summer games are masterpieces and more details will be available soon.

“People can register to become Special Olympics Champions,” said Buerger. “There are some very simple fundraisers for people to respect athletes.”