Xbox partners with Special Olympics USA to host video gaming tournament

2 min. read

Published on May 22, 2018

published on May 22, 2018

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Special Olympics USA and Xbox have partnered up to host a gaming tournament this summer. Athletes will be playing Forza Motorsport 7.

“At Microsoft, we believe that gaming is for everyone so we’re proud to pilot the first gaming tournament at the Special Olympics USA Games this summer” said Xbox head Phil Spencer. “Competitive video gaming is enjoyed by players around the world, and our goal with this pilot tournament is to challenge biases and breakdown barriers while providing an empowering and fun experience for all players.”

Beth Knox, President and CEO of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games also noted, “Many of our athletes are avid gamers and research indicates playing video games can potentially boost cognitive and motor skills of people with intellectual disabilities. We are thrilled to partner with Xbox to bring the first-ever video gaming tournament to the USA Games. We hope everyone will come out and support the competitors in this pilot event.”

The tournament will consist of eight teams, with two athletes—one with and one without an intellectual disability—on each team. These teams were selected at qualifier events held at Microsoft stores across the country last month.

The Xbox Gaming Tournament at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will take place on Monday, July 2, from 1:00 – 4:00PM in the Lyceum room in the University of Washington Husky Union Building.

Gaming stations will also be located at the 2018 USA Games Fan Zone—open to the public—where fans can play games like Forza Motorsport 7, Minecraft, and Super Lucky’s Tale.