One hundred athletes from the Liberty County, Long County and Fort Stewart school systems competed in the annual Special Olympics last weekend on post.
Bradwell Institute’s Ishmael Wiggins carried the opening ceremony torch, and Kimberly Averitt recited the Special Olympic Oath to kick off the spring portion of the Special Olympics’ track-and-field events.
While the rain shortened the event and the softball and tennis-ball throws had to be canceled, the athletes managed to compete in the 100-meter wheelchair race, 25-meter assisted and unassisted walk, the 50- and the 100-meter runs.
Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield Volunteer Coordinator Renee McClinton gathered 400 military, civilian and Youth ChalleNGe Academy volunteers, who ensured the event ran smoothly until the weather forced the cancellation of some events.
This year, the Special Olympics was co-hosted by Fort Stewart’s Exceptional Family Member Program, Army Community Service Manager Mavis Crowell and Larry Laughlin from the Fort Stewart Recreation Department.
The next Special Olympics’ session will be the winter games in December.