In April 2006, the team launched a partnership with the Connecticut Special Olympics Cycling Team. Anthem racers first worked with Special Olympics coaches, advising them on safety procedures and racing tactics. Kyle Higgins, SOCT cycling coach, appreciated the team members' contributions. "I have to say that the morning with the Anthem guys was the best ever! Even though I don't have any Orlando-level athletes to train, I did come away with some good ideas that will definitely be put practice at our training sessions from now on. As top-level as the Anthem team is, they were very down to earth, had good tips and techniques and went above and beyond to help in the areas we were interested in. I can't wait for my team to meet them at Time Trials! So thanks again for making this available to us! It was a beautiful day, great exercise and most of all, a valuable learning experience."
Qualifying and Placing Time Trials - 2007
May 20th, 2007
For the second year, Anthem cyclists are working side by side with the Special Olympics of Connecticut (SOCT). On May 20, SOCT cyclists competed in qualifying time trials at Northeast Utilities in Cheshire. Anthem team members conducted bike inspections and officiated races on what turned out to be a beautiful spring day. The morning started off wet, with the team tent serving a very important function - keeping the cyclists and bike inspectors dry during inspections! Bike checks moved along quickly with the many helping hands and the racers gave it their all in preparation for the annual State Summer Games. Come join the fun on June 8, 9, and 10 at Southern Connecticut State University: (http://www.soct.org/worxcms_published/competition_page82.shtml).
You can view pictures of our day in Chesire in our photo gallery.Qualifying and Placing Time Trials - 2006
May 21st, 2006
At the SOCT qualifying time trail event, Anthem cyclists assisted with bicycle inspections, starting line-ups and taking times at the finish line. The squad anticipates being involved in the SOCT opening ceremonies and will be assisting officials at the races.
Read about the qualifying day on our blog.Anthem in Connecticut Sponsors Special Olympics
June 20th, 2006
On Friday, June 9, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield was the Presenting Sponsor of the 2006 Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games Opening Ceremonies for the third consecutive year. The games, which included 2,200 athletes, 700 coaches and 4,000 volunteers, were held June 9 to June 11 at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven and Hamden Hall School in Hamden.
During the Opening Ceremonies, Razia Hashmi, M.D., Connecticut Medical Director, addressed a large audience of gathered dignitaries, Special Olympians, their families, coaches, media representatives and other invited guests. In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of Special Olympics in encouraging those with intellectual disabilities to get active and in helping them lead healthier, more fulfilled lives.
"As a physician, I know first-hand the important roles staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle play in fulfilling our mission, to improve the lives of the people we serve and the health of our community," she noted. "These athletes' ongoing pursuit of excellence will help them live longer, healthier, more fulfilled lives."
In addition to the great synergy with Anthem's mission, the company's sponsorship also provides significant public exposure, including inclusion of the Anthem logo in a special New Haven Register (circulation: 100,000) supplement published on June 7 and on the SOCT's website, as well as prominent display of two Anthem banners during the Summer Games.
Dr. Hashmi also attended the pre-Opening Ceremonies Sponsor Reception, at which Anthem was publicly recognized for its ongoing sponsorship of the evening's events. At the reception, she accepted, on behalf of Anthem, a plaque presented by several "Global Messengers," a group of Special Olympians who served as hosts of the reception and helped emcee the Opening Ceremonies.
Unfortunately, the threat of bad weather and the soggy state of SCSU's Jess Dow Field forced both the Sponsor Reception and the Opening Ceremonies indoors. That meant that several members of the Anthem Rewards CCCC Cycling Team, who were slated to usher in the Parade of Athletes, were unable to do so. Three members of the team did, however, attend the evening's events. Several of them also volunteered over the weekend at the SOCT cycling venue.
In addition, the Anthem Rewards CCCC Cycling Team has worked closely with Special Olympics Connecticut over the past several weeks; for example, running coaches' and athletes' clinics, helping to secure a supply of donated bicycle helmets from Berlin Bicycle for one of the Special Olympics cycling teams, etc. They have also extended an invitation to Special Olympian cyclists to participate in the team's upcoming New Britain Criterium race event, scheduled for July 9.
For more information about the Special Olympics, go to: www.soct.org.