Special Olympics: Abbott to compete in gymnastics at nationals

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Alexandria Special Olympics athlete Sara Abbott is looking for some help from the community before taking part in the biggest competition of her life from July 18-23.

Abbott was selected to team Minnesota as a gymnast in the 2010 USA National Games in Nebraska and is currently raising money to support her trip. She asks the public to consider sponsoring her in competition. Abbott, 36, hopes to raise $600 to help Special Olympics Minnesota pay for her competition, transportation and housing expenses.

The public can help out by sponsoring her through the “sponsor-an-athlete” website at www.sponsoranathlete.kintera.org. To sponsor a specific athlete, click on “sponsor a participant,” then enter the athlete’s name where prompted. To make a general donation, search for the participant “Team Minnesota.”

As a gymnast with the Alexandria team, Abbott has learned the importance of exercise and a positive attitude. That positive attitude helps her succeed in all areas of her life, including at the multiple jobs she holds. Abbott won five gold medals at the state level in gymnastics in 2009.

She will be going up against the best Special Olympics athletes in the country at the National Games. Organizers expect 3,500 athletes, along with 1,000 coaches, 8,000 volunteers and as many as 15,000 family and friends to gather in Lincoln and Omaha for the event. Athletes from all 50 states will compete in 12 sports – aquatics, bocce, basketball, bowling, golf, gymnastics, power lifting, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field and volleyball.

Abbot is one of just two gymnasts on the Team Minnesota squad. The team includes eight aquatic athletes, a full-court basketball team, eight bowlers, eight golfers, eight bocce athletes and a softball team.

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, special, olympics, sara, abbott