FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) — For Fargo native and current Denver Broncos offensive lineman Connor McGovern working with athletes with special needs has been a passion since his days playing college football at the University of Missouri.
McGovern along with the team at TNT Kids Fitness announced the Inaugural Able Games Thursday.
Believed to be the first event of its kind, the Able Games is an all-inclusive test of functional fitness for all level of competitors.
“The focus of the Able Games is to really allow people with disabilities to compete alongside and with world class athletes and also to allow everyday people to compete with world class athletes and also disabled athletes,” McGovern said.
McGovern has teamed up with TNT Kids’ Fitness for FargoMania in the past, an adaptive CrossFit games style of competition for athletes with disabilities, but, with the Able Games the group hopes to expand their reach and have all athletes competing at the same time right alongside one another.
“That’s kind of the goal is to show people how much this segment of the population can do, how able they are. You know it might take them a little longer to learn the skill, but at the end of the day, they’re going to learn the skill, they’re going to do it with so much pride because they haven’t been given that many opportunities,” McGovern said.
During the two day event, there will be opportunities to participate in a CrossFit workout and then compete alongside and with celebrity guests.
“This is something that’s never been done at this level because it’s physical, it’s cognitive, and it’s going to really special, but the most important thing is going to help remove barriers so that other people see these abilities and we have high hopes,” Kim Pladson, TNT Kids’ Fitness & Gymnastics Executive Director said.
“We have great vision with what we want to do with this competition.”
The group is hoping to get 600 athletes registered and with the money they raise from this inaugural event to expand the reach they can have to athletes of all types to get involved and get moving.
The event is set to run April 3rd and 4th from Scheels Arena in Fargo. To learn more about the Able Games and how to register click on the related links.