Butler County's Special Olympians will have to wait out fears over the recent coronavirus strain.

“It's heartbreaking,” said Mary Pitzer, manager of the Butler County Special Olympics.

Butler County's program received word from its statewide parent organization.

Pennsylvania Special Olympics President and CEO Matthew B. Aaron sent an email Monday.

Aaron's announcement said Special Olympics Pennsylvania was suspending all sport training and competition activities and other activities involving its athletes through March 31.

He said the situation will be reevaluated.

In the email Aaron said the decision was made because one case has been tied to a U.S. Special Olympics athlete, and there is a heightened risk for people with intellectual disabilities and the elderly.

This is an excerpt from a larger article that will appear in Wednesday's Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read the full article.