Hawaii Athletes Join Special Olympics USA Team for 2023 Special Olympics World Games Berlin
Hawaii will be represented by two athletes, a bocce official and Law Enforcement Officer that will represent the aloha state in June 2023
Special Olympics Hawaii is proud to announce four individuals representing Hawaii at the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany in June. They include two Special Olympics Hawaii athletes, Teresa Moore and Virginia Lee, who will compete for Special Olympics USA, Shavanna Mahoe as an official, as well as Officer Kuilee Dela Cruz who will participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Athletes Teresa Moore and Virginia Lee, both from Hawaii Island, will compete in powerlifting and track & field. Shavanna Mahoe from Oahu, will join the World Games Local Organizing Committee as a bocce official, and Officer Kuilee Dela Cruz from the Hawaii County Police Department will represent Hawaii in the Law Enforcement Torch Run as a part of the Law Enforcement Team.
The cost to send one individual to the Special Olympics World Games is more than $2,500. Special Olympics Hawaii is accepting tax-deductible donations to defray expenses at https://bit.ly/SOHI2023WorldGames.
“This year our athletes and Torch Runner will represent the state in Berlin on a national platform while highlighting their skills,” said Special Olympics Hawaii’s President and CEO, Dan Epstein. “Please consider helping to make this once in a lifetime dream come true and supporting them by making a tax-deductible donation.”
Virginia “Kalei” Lee (West Hawaii) will compete in powerlifting. Kalei has participated in Special Olympics Hawaii for 27 years and has competed in bocce, bowling, fitness, powerlifting and track & field. She most recently won a gold medal in powerlifting events at the 2022 State Summer Games. Kalei will compete in the bench press, deadlift, squat, and combination event in powerlifting.
Teresa “Tess” Moore (East Hawaii) will compete in track & field. Tess has been an athlete with Special Olympics Hawaii for 25 years and has competed in basketball, bocce, bowling, fitness, soccer, softball, swimming as well as track & field. She recently earned gold in track & field at the 2022 State Summer Games. Tess will compete in the 100-meter dash, shotput and 4 x 100-meter relay.
Shavanna Mahoe (Oahu) will be a part of the World Games Local Organizing Committee, serving as a bocce official for the games in Berlin. She became a certified bocce official for Special Olympics Hawaii in 2014 and has officiated many area and state bocce competitions. Shavanna is the first athlete official that has represented Hawaii at a national or world competition and will be the only athlete official at the bocce competition.
Officer Kuilee Dela Cruz (West Hawaii) from the Hawaii County Police Department will represent the state of Hawaii as a part of the Law Enforcement Team at the 2023 World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany. Not only has Officer Kuilee Dela Cruz been involved as a torch runner for the past 10 years, but he has also volunteered his time at numerous Cop on Top events and coordinated West Hawaii’s Torch Run, as well as shared his talents with athletes as a basketball and soccer coach.
The Special Olympics 2023 World Games will be the world’s largest sports and humanitarian event taking place in 2023, and the biggest multi-sport event in Berlin in decades. The Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 will feature more than 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from over 190 countries who will compete in 26 Olympic-type summer sports.
For more information on the Special Olympics 2023 World Games Berlin and how to donate to Special Olympics Hawaii, please visit www.sohawaii.org. Also, follow Special Olympics Hawaii on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sohawaii, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsHawaii, and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/sohawaii.
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About Special Olympics Hawaii
Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement using sport, health, education, and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1968, Special Olympics Hawaii has grown to serve more than 5,196 athletes and Unified partners on every island in our state. With the support of more than 10,800 coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 10 Olympic-type sports and over 50 games and competitions throughout the year. Special Olympics is supported by individuals, foundations and corporate partners.
There is never a fee to any athlete or family to participate in Special Olympics programs. Engage with us on: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Learn more at www.SOHawaii.org.
