ORONO – Special Olympics Maine State Summer Games will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 9 to 12, at the University of Maine. More than 1,300 athletes representing 180 teams will compete in a variety of Olympic-style sports.

The start of the competition will be on Thursday with bowling and unified bowling from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The major events will kick off Friday at 6 p.m. with a parade of athletes and Shrine units followed by opening ceremonies. The Flame of Hope will be flown in on LifeFlight out of Bangor, then carried by police officer Douglas Maifeld of the Rumford Police Department and a Special Olympics athlete from the Augusta area.

On Saturday morning athletes will compete in track and field events from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members of Maine law enforcement will hand out medals. That evening participants will attend the banquet of champions followed by a victory dance.

Sunday morning athletes will compete in the mile run followed by closing ceremonies. For more information, call Lisa Bird at 839-5578 or the state office at 879-0489.