The excitement is building, and the athletes are training - it's almost time for the Olympic Games. The Special Olympics Cleveland County (SOCC) games are set to take place on Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at George Blanton Memorial Stadium at Shelby High School.
"We encourage folks to come out and be fans in the stands," says Carol Goforth, local program coordinator for SOCC. "For some, this is their Friday night football. These athletes may not have the opportunity to play on a varsity football team, but this is their time to be in the spotlight."
Admission is free for the games.
"It doesn't cost anything to watch, and by being there to watch, the spectators let the athletes know that what they are doing is important," says Goforth.
Organizers hope that this year's games will be the biggest ever, with pre-registered athletes and volunteers totaling more than 175 people.
Older athletes will compete in track and field and motor activities while the younger athletes will participate in YAP (Young Athlete Program). YAP is an inclusive early childhood sports and educational play program for children ages 2 to 7 that includes games, songs and other fun, physical activities. With an emphasis on training and participation through activities and play rather than competition, young athletes learn basic sports skills like kicking and throwing a ball and playing with others. YAP also provides children with gross motor skills training, group interaction and socialization opportunities which prepare them for future participation in sports.
For the older athletes the track and field category includes events such as the long jump and softball throw, the 25-, 50-, 100-, and 200- meter walks and/or runs and wheelchair races. The Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) includes events such as ramp bowling, wheelchair races, walks and runs in which all athletes in the MATP can have assistance from volunteers to complete each of their events.
Athletes that participate in the spring games can qualify to participate in state traveling teams. Through the years, athletes from Cleveland County have had the opportunity to travel to other states to compete in competitions such as flag football and softball tournaments. This past July one of the SOCC basketball teams was chosen to compete at the USA Games in Seattle, WA. At these games they represented Special Olympics North Carolina as well as Cleveland County.
"Before they travel and represent Special Olympics Cleveland County, they are required to compete at the local spring games," says Goforth.
Concessions and souvenirs will be on sale during the event to benefit SOCC.
For more information, search for "Special Olympics Cleveland County" on Facebook or call Goforth at 704-476-8062.

By April Hoyle-Shauf, Special to Community First Media