PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Hundreds of excited athletes raced, jumped and threw for the gold throughout the day Friday, May 12, during the 2017 Special Olympics at the Gehrig Johnson Athletic Complex.
Athletes, volunteers and spectators from Fort Kent to Sherman gathered for the largest track and field event held in Presque Isle each year.
Sunny skies and a cool breeze — a welcome relief from the recent rains — greeted the 288 athletes representing 29 County schools and organizations.
The Knights of Columbus and St. John Valley Association led the morning’s parade of Olympians and marched to the beat of the Presque Isle Middle School band while passing by a crowd of cheering and smiling family, friends and fans.
Surrounded by athletes and spectators, Presque Isle Middle School 8th grader Allison Fullen sang the National Anthem as Olympian Lori Flewelling and Ranger Justin Carney from the Maine Forest Service lined up for the carrying of the torch.
Flewelling, who is from the Community Living Association and was designated Guardian of the Flame, hit the track along side Carney to deliver the ever burning symbol signifying the opening of the Special Olympic Games.
Recognized this season for years of dedication to the games were representatives of the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club and of the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Gentile Hall.
But the games hadn’t officially begun until local TV celebrity and long time Special Olympics volunteer Rene Cloukey recited the Olympic Oath declaring the Olympic Spring Games open and saying four magic words, “Success to you all.”
Alongside the athletes were National Honors Society students keeping track of times for each race and distances for each jump and throw. Following each round, Olympians stepped up to the podium to receive their medals, which were placed around their necks by volunteering law enforcement officers.
As the games wound down mid-afternoon and the morning’s roaring cheers settled into congratulatory hugs and pats on the back, it was time for the athletes to hold tight to their well deserved medals and board busses back to their homes where they will begin training for next year’s Special Olympics.
