‘Special’ day planned for local athletes Saturday

By CHRIS MENEES
Staff Reporter
Something “Special” is happening Saturday.
The annual Obion County Special Olympics will be staged from 10 a.m. to noon at War Memorial Stadium on the Union City High School campus.
Special Olympics is an international program which offers year-round sports training and competition for children and adults who have physical or developmental disabilities.
The Obion County games — sponsored by the Union City Kiwanis Club — will kick off Saturday morning with an opening ceremony that typically includes the singing of the national anthem by a competitor, the recitation of the Special Olympics oath and an opening torch lap around the track.
Participants will then compete in various track and field events, including walks and runs of various distances, standing long jump and softball throw. The sport of bocce ball has also been popular with competitors in the past.
There is no admission charge to attend the event and the public is urged to attend to cheer on the competitors, according to Kiwanis Club member and event chairman Shane Dodson.
“We’d love to see the community come support these special people,” Dodson said. “They love to be encouraged and cheered on, and your heart will be warmed by being a part of it.”
Several members of the Kiwanis Club will be on hand to assist with the games, as will teenage volunteers from various student organizations and athletic teams at UCHS.
In the event of rain Saturday morning, the games will be moved indoors to UCHS’ practice facility, according to Dodson.
The local Special Olympics program is part of Area 7, which includes Obion, Lake, Weakley and Henry counties.
Staff Reporter Chris Menees may be contacted by email at cmenees@ ucmessenger.com.

Published in The Messenger 4.25.13