Special Olympics to be hosted again by Salve

By: Lindsay Little
Posted In: News

On the morning of April 24, approximately 250 athletes will arrive at the track and field facilities at Rogers High School in Newport. During the next few weeks, Special Olympics teams from around Rhode Island will be preparing for the East Bay Area Games to be hosted this year by the Salve Regina East Bay Area Games Special Olympics Committee, chaired by Carla Lyder.

Salve has hosted the East Bay Area Games Special Olympics for the past 20 years. Weather permitting, the opening ceremonies of the East Bay Area Games Special Olympics will commence at 10:30 a.m., to begin a day of athletic events that have proven in past years to be rewarding for all involved.

Eleven or twelve teams will be participating in the Games at Rogers High School Athletic Facilities. The athletic events range from 50 meter races to a 3000 meter race, the long jump, shot put, softball throw, relays and wheelchair events.

The athletes who will be competing in the events do it not for victory or personal glory, declares the Special Olympics Rhode Island web site, www.specialolympicsri.org, “but for the sheer joy of taking part.”

This is evident in the Special Olympics Athlete’s Oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” It is a good natured event that has a lesson to offer for all athletes about what it means to be a “good sport.”

The Special Olympics Rhode Island East Bay Area Games arguably have just as much heart as the International Olympic Games. Special Olympics is an international organization that was conceived in 1968. At its inception, “experts” were opposed to the concept that people with disabilities could benefit from participation in competitive sports.

However, over the years, Special Olympics has provided millions of children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to train for and compete in 26 Olympic-type winter and summer sports.

Not only does participation in Special Olympics increase the athlete’s physical fitness, but it also enhances motor skills, helps to build self-confidence and self-image, social skills and spirituality.

A delegation of Salve student clubs and organizations will also be present at the games. Each organization has been invited to participate in “Olympic Village” where they will provide activities, such as arts and crafts, for the athletes and their families to take part in throughout the course of the day.

The East Bay Area Games Special Olympics Committee is also actively looking for over 120 volunteers to cover duties on the day of the event. If you are interested in helping out, contact the committee at sruspecial.olympics@salve.edu.