Special Olympics North Carolina fielded one of its two Guilford County competitions in High Point, Thursday, April 27, at the High Point Athletic Complex. Some 125 athletes participated, representing local school teams and an adult division.
Buses began arriving at 9 am. One hundred seventy-five community volunteers were on hand to register everyone, facilitate an impressive opening ceremony—including a parade and torch relay—manage the track-and-field competitions and present awards to top athletes. Events included a variety of running, walking and wheel chair races, as well as softball and tennis ball throws.
The fact that April 27 was a rain date didn’t diminish any enthusiasm among volunteers, teachers and participants, judging from the cheers and high-fives among teams decked out in colorful uniforms. The High Point Athletic Complex is a top-notch facility—perfect for Olympic competition—that adds to the excitement.
A grant from the High Point Community Foundation helped make this event possible. We’re proud to be part it and are grateful to the corporate and student volunteers who work so hard to make it a memorable success for everyone involved.
“The High Point event is the culmination of programming funded by the High Point Community Foundation,” says Keith L. Fishburne, President/CEO, Special Olympics North Carolina. “In addition to the more visible things like athlete uniforms and awards, the foundation is supporting our efforts to identify athletes for participation and engage them with a coach in a full season of training.
“Throughout the Special Olympics experience, athletes acquire skills and sustain a regimen of physical activity that positively impacts their health, and culminates in the opportunity to unite with their peers in competition, and members of the community supporting and celebrating them and their abilities.”
About Special Olympics of North Carolina
Special Olympics North Carolina is one of the largest Special Olympics programs in the world with nearly 40,000 registered athletes who train and compete in year-round programs in 19 different sports. Learn more about the difference between Special Olympics, the Paralympics and the Olympics. A voluntary Board of Directors serves as the governing body for Special Olympics North Carolina and employs a President/CEO responsible for carrying out programs and activities. Twenty-four staff members based in five statewide offices work closely with volunteers to provide Special Olympics programs for people with intellectual disabilities.
These programs are organized by approximately 100 sub-accredited local programs throughout the state, and the involvement of more than 30,000 volunteers makes possible nearly 8,000 sport practices and 400 competition events at local, area, state, regional, and national levels each year. Find out what is happening in your community and how you can get involved.
Special Olympics North Carolina is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating under Federal Tax ID 56-1149607. Athletes in North Carolina are never charged a fee of any kind to participate in Special Olympics. Generous support from individuals, businesses, foundations, and civic groups helps fund the training facilities, uniforms, awards, equipment, transportation, and coaches’ education that are important to every athlete’s experiences. Support Special Olympics North Carolina today, and give the power of sport to one more athlete.
