ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Source: Special Olympics // Today, the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Organizing Committee unveiled its logo for the 2022 USA Games during a celebration ceremony at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. The logo – for the first time in the Games’ history – was inspired and designed by nine artistic and talented Special Olympics athletes.
Along with unveiling the logo, the Organizing Committee announced Jersey Mike’s Subs as Presenting Partner and Walt Disney World Resort as Host during the event.
For the first time in the Special Olympics USA Games’ history, Special Olympics athletes from across the nation united during a three-day workshop in Orlando, Fla., in May where they worked with professional designers from national advertising agency partner, Publicis Seattle, to provide the vision for the 2022 USA Games logo, as well as the primary color palette that explodes with life. The mark represents the natural elements of Florida culminating in a fiery spark of the Special Olympics spirit.
The nine athletes included: Aarushi Pratap (Fashion Design, Tampa, Fla.), Andrew Weatherly (Abstract Painting, Closter, N.J.), Caroline Shin (Web Design, Tallahassee, Fla.), Coby Fineran (Drawing, Manning, Iowa), Haley Waggoner (Cake Decorating, Lincoln, Neb.), Lee Savage (Drawing, Lake Worth, Fla.), Mariah Gilbert (Drawing, Spokane, Wash.), Marta Páramo (Painting, Miami, Fla.) and Patrice Jetter (Graphic Design, Hamilton, N.J.).
“It is an honor to be part of the team that created the logo,” Special Olympics athlete Lee Savage said. “This was so important to us because Special Olympics is such an important part of our lives. We are proud of the logo and hope it can be an inspiration to society.”
“This logo tells a story of how a combined passion for sports, perseverance and art can literally come to life on a blank canvas,” said Joe Dzaluk, President & CEO of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. “These incredible athletes used their unique talents to inspire and design an iconic image for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games brand, and it proved to be more meaningful than any of us could have ever imagined.”
Iranian-American filmmaker Rayka Zehtabchi, best known for her 2018 Academy Award-winning documentary short Period. End of Sentence., directed a mini documentary that was filmed during the Unified Logo Workshop. This unique approach to developing the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games logo served as the perfect platform to unlock the creativity and confidence of the Special Olympics athletes. Zehtabchi’s film beautifully captures the positive impact of the process and the undeniable spirit and talent of the athletes. Zehtabchi’s 5-minute documentary can be viewed here.
Jersey Mike’s has committed to be the Presenting Partner of the Games. “Giving…making a difference in someone’s life” has been the mission of Jersey Mike’s from the beginning. Since 2010, Jersey Mike’s locations throughout the country have raised more than $41 million for worthy local charities and have distributed more than 2 million free sub sandwiches to help numerous causes.
“Jersey Mike’s has a long-standing tradition of dedication, excellence and passionately supporting its communities, which mirrors the attributes of Special Olympics athletes across the nation,” said Peter Cancro, founder and CEO of Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, Inc. “Sports teach us valuable life lessons about teamwork and leadership, and Jersey Mike’s is proud to support the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.”
Walt Disney World Resort is Host for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, offering its 220-acre ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex as the premier venue for the USA Games. The use of the sports complex is one part of Disney’s multi-faceted support of the Special Olympics movement and the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, which also includes additional sponsorship and in-kind support for the USA Games, Presenting Partner for the Volunteer Program and ESPN’s role as the Global Presenting Sponsor of Special Olympics Unified Sports.
“Special Olympics athletes provide inspiration to millions of people around the world,” said Rena Langley, Senior Vice President, Walt Disney World Public Affairs and Communications. “Competing at this level is an incredible achievement, one that requires tremendous commitment, dedication and leadership skills. As the presenting partner of the volunteer program, we’re honored and proud to support the friends, families and fans that will be here cheering on the athletes, and we’re excited to host the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.”
Orlando Health and Orange County have committed as Platinum Partners of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.
Taking place from June 5 through June 11, the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games will feature more than 4,000 athletes, 10,000 volunteers, 1,500 coaches, and 125,000 fans from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, all of whom will unite in the Orlando area and participate in one of the country’s most cherished sporting events.
The Games will be comprised of as many as 16 Olympic-type team and individual sports, and as many as five demonstration sports. To learn more about the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, please visit www.2022USAGames.org and follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
