CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Athletes from across West Virginia gathering this weekend in Charleston for the 2017 Special Olympics West Virginia Summer Games.
It is the 12th year in a row the competition has been in Charleston. Events are being held this year at multiple facilities in the state’s capitol city such as Laidley Field, the city’s softball field and the Air National Guard Armory.
According to the organization’s website, “approximately 700 athletes” are involved in this year’s Summer Games.
County teams, athletes and volunteers took part in an opening ceremony Friday evening as part of the city’s Moses Auto Group Live on the Levee concert series. Athletes were recognized in front of an audience of hundreds at Haddad Riverfront Park.
Josh Howell of Beverly is in his 10th year of competition, participating this year in swimming events. He said his goals were to earn medals and meet new friends.
“I wish all the athletes good luck this weekend,” Howell said prior to the ceremony.
Zane Hutchison of Winfield, said his favorite part of the games is competing against other athletes.
“It’s fun for my family members to watch and cheer me on,” said Hutchinson, who like Howell is a swimmer. “I like to see everybody and congratulate people facing me.”
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and West Virginia Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, spoke at the ceremony about the benefits of the program for the athletes and the community.
“I’m frequently reminded of the story of the Special Olympics race,” Carmichael said. “They were all competing the the 100-yard dash. One of them fell, and each one went back and helped the other one up. That’s the kind of spirit all of us can learn from the Special Olympics.”
Peggy Delp, an advisor for the McDowell County team, said the games create a looming positive atmosphere for those on and off the field.
“A lot of the students in our county don’t leave the county, so this gives us a chance to leave the county and our students a chance to participate in sports,” she said. “It just makes their world a little bigger.”
The Special Olympics West Virginia Summer Games goes through Sunday.