North Dakota Special Olympics Opener

Special Olympics Summer Games

The North Dakota Special Olympics are underway at Davies High School.
For the 18th year in a row the summer games are being held in Fargo.

KVRR’s Brittany Ford has the story.

More than 500 athletes from around the state put on their game faces and are ready to compete.

Athletes will participate in 6 different sports between Friday and Saturday.

The Schedule of events started off with the volleyball, bocce, and swimming competitions.

After months of training, Athlete’s couldn’t wait to show off their hard work.

“We’re all just excited to be here and were hoping we do good. I just can’t wait to see if we get in championship. I just can’t wait to get on the court and play show what I got,” said Valley City Athlete Megan Banderet.

It is a day coach’s say is all about one thing,

Today is all about the competition.

“You get there for competition they’ve got people cheering. There just excited they’re looking to see who’s going to be here they just absolutely love it,” said Valley City Special Olympics Coach Katie Oehlke.

Aside from the competitive nature of the games they are also an opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities to gain personal growth skills.

“Sport is universal. People like sport. Weather it makes you feel good but it also makes you feel badly when you lose but you know what you lose and you figure out how to deal with it. So it is a lot of life lessons,” said CEO of the North Dakota Special Olympics Kathy Meaghar.

The competition will resume tomorrow with gymnastics, track and field and power lifting.

Awards will be given out in the afternoon.

Good luck to all the competing athletes. Brittany Ford KVRR News.

The opening ceremony and parade of athletes will be held at 9:30 tomorrow morning at Davies High School.