Challenger

Special Olympic events have brought many opportunities for the young and old with disibilities to compete on an even playing field with other athletes. Special Olympics offers sporting events such as softball, golf, soccer, track and field, swimming, horse back riding, basketball, power lifting, cheerleading, and gymnastics. All of these sports are performed at different difficulty levels.

The Special Olympic teams have just finished softball, and are currently wrapping up equestrian. This month, Special Olympic athletes will open bowling, aquatics, basketball and cheerleading. In the spring, track and power lifting will begin. In June, the State Games for the Special Olympics will iniciate.

Ages vary from eight years old to sixty-three. Mrs. Blandford, a special education teacher at Apollo High School explains that, “Depending on the sporting event will determine the number of athletes. Some sports are divided by age, not ability; such as bowling, soccer, and track and field. Power lifting is determined by weight. For all other sports, there is not an age boundary, just skill level.”

Mrs. Blandford enjoys volunteering and working with Special Olympics. Blandford says, “I truly enjoy working with Special Olympics. We have super volunteers.” No coaches are paid in Special Olympics. Mrs. Blandford continues, “Volunteering for Special Olympics is a contribution of time and heart. For all the people working as volunteers and buddies, the experience can be quite rewarding.” Blandford states that for the athletes, just having the opportunity to compete and be cheered on in thier event is an award to them in itself. Mrs. Blandford helps keep the Apollo athletes organized and encourages them to participate in the games. Blandford is also their coach for the track and field events.
At the local games, the athletes recieve ribbons according to their placement. At the State games they recieve medals for first, second and third. Just like in the Olympics, first place is gold, second place is silver, and third place is Bronze.

Community organizations are constatly supporting Special Olypics by having fundraisers, sales, or just donating to the time and talents of the athletes.A big crowd of people show up for the many events during Special Olympics. At these events, most of the fans are family and friends since Special Olympics is a community event and not school sponsored.
The coaches and buddies of Special Olympics encourage all students to watch the many events of Special Olympics. The athletes will favor the support of classmates who applaud with cheers in the stands.