Planning for the 2019 Special Olympics Georgia State Fall Games has started, and the organization is excited to announce a location change for the event. After spending five years in Hall County, located in northeastern Georgia, Special Olympics Georgia will be bringing the annual competition south to Valdosta. The statewide competition will take place on October 11 – 13 of next year.

"The entire community of Valdosta has been extremely welcoming and supportive of our athletes, and we know the athletes, coaches and Unified Partners from around the state will be treated to an incredible weekend of top-notch competition and fun," commented Special Olympics Georgia CEO, Georgia Milton-Sheats. "We look forward to utilizing the incredible sports venues and know we will have the utmost support of the community for this event!"

The 2019 State Fall Games will feature competition in four different sports: bocce, cycling, golf and softball. The event will also include a grand Opening Ceremony, a festival – like venue known as Olympic Town and two Healthy Athletes initiatives called Healthy Hearing and Health Promotion. This past year, over 2,100 athletes, coaches and Unified Partners traveled to go for the gold in their respective sport.

Special Olympics Georgia is already looking ahead to inviting the communities of Valdosta and surrounding areas to attend and support the 2019 State Fall Games as volunteers or cheering fans in the stands.