Runners raced across the track, jumpers took turns at the long-jump sand pit, and throwers launched softballs across the field at Cabot High School’s Panther Stadium on April 30. Each athlete was cheered on by the crowd, and the joy on the participants’ faces was infectious as they competed in the Area 5 Special Olympics games.
After young athletes ages 2-7 participated for the first time in Special Olympics — something new for Area 5 this year — athlete Kyron Sanders from The Academy at Riverdale carried the torch around the track, flanked by law enforcement officers who encouraged him along the way. Once the torch reached its destination, the rest of the games began.
Jesse Covington was one of more than 500 athletes at the event. Covington said he was excited to return to his alma mater to participate in the games once again. He graduated from Cabot High School last year and now has a job at Greystone Country Club. He has participated in Special Olympics since he was in the second grade.
“I love everything about it,” he said. “I like seeing friends.”
He has a lot of friends to see. Covington was named prom king last year at Cabot High School, and everywhere he turned at the Special Olympics, someone was calling his name to say hello.
“[Special Olympics] reminds me of my younger days,” he said. “There’s nothing like this experience with friends and peers.”
Covington’s mother, Bonnie, said he has a collection of trophies from past games, and he looks forward to the games each year.
Kara Newman has been volunteer area director for Area 5 Special Olympics for more than 20 years. The Newman family first got involved in the games when Kara’s son participated as an athlete. Newman said 520 athletes, ages 8-60, registered this year, and she is proud of each one who arrived to compete.
“Special Olympics [gives] individuals with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to compete on an athletic level,” Newman said. “For me, it’s just a second family. We’ve been doing it for so long, and I have seen how it gives these athletes an open door. Personally, because of my son, it gives us an outlet.”
The games have also given Newman a chance to share healthy habits with the athletes, she said, and that information can be invaluable. The Healthy Athletes initiative, with which Newman assists, is dedicated to providing health services to Special Olympic athletes. Health screenings, training for health care professionals and evaluations for people with intellectual disabilities are all a part of the Healthy Athletes program.
“I feel like we are trying to help promote athleticism; we’re trying to promote fitness. We’re trying to promote a community for them and a sense of health,” she said. “I just feel that’s giving back to the society we should help.”
The Area 5 Special Olympics games lasted about four hours on April 30, and each athlete was allowed to participate in two events. Newman said the competitors were matched up with other athletes of similar abilities, and awards were given to the top six athletes in each event.
“Everything with Special Olympics is built upon ability,”
Newman said. “We spend a lot of time getting information from the coaches about what their athletes can do, and then we have them compete against athletes in a similar range. Everyone has that opportunity to win, but really, they’re all winners just for being here.”
Staff writer Angela Spencer can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or aspencer@arkansasonline.com.