Hundreds of children and adults with disabilities made their way to the Ted Lloyd Track and Field at Harding University this past Saturday, April 20, where the Special Olympics Area 6 track and field events were held.
Disabled students from all over White County and surrounding areas came to compete in running long jumps, standing long jumps, 400 meter races, 1500 meter races, relays and various other events.
The day’s events began at 9 a.m. as the participating athletes lined up to enter First Security Stadium at Harding University. The colors were presented by a local high school and junior Harding student Hannah Robison sang “The Star Spangled Banner.” A Special Olympics athlete held the torch and jogged around the track, then the day of events was officially declared “open.”
Volunteers from the Searcy community, including university students and airmen from the Jacksonville Air Force Bases worked at the event to accompany the participants, making sure that each athlete reached his or her designated event on time. Volunteers also kept time for various events and received the privilege of handing out ribbons to the winning athletes. All volunteers were given a ribbon to show how much the Special Olympics appreciates them giving their time to come be a part of something much bigger than themselves.
“It’s such a blessing to have the opportunity to serve, cheering these sweet children on in their track and field events,” sophomore Dayton Hendricks said.
Special Olympics is a special nonprofit organization that trains athletes with disabilities, year-round, free of charge.
“The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sport training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community,” field Representative Jessica Fagan said.
SpecialOlympics Arkansas is anonprofit organization, providing approximately 14,000individualswith intellectual disabilities the opportunity to excel. Arkansas is divided into17 areas, each headedby a volunteer area director and various volunteersserving on team managementcommittees. The area directors support all the localevents in theirarea.
Originatingin 1970, Arkansas heldits first Summer Games with 283 athletes competing invarious track and field events and has grown to a competition program forathletes wanting to train andcompete in athletics including aquatics, softball,volleyball, unified football,powerlifting, bocce and cycling. Other SpecialOlympics Arkansas sports include: basketball, bowling, ice speed and figureskating, floor hockey and gymnastics.
