MACON, Ga. – First Presbyterian Day School is honored to be named the host venue for the 2014 Special Olympics Georgia, AREA 7 Track and Field Event. Activities are scheduled for Thursday, April 17 at the Dick Frame Track and Field Complex inside George S. Johnson Stadium.
Competition begins at 10:00 a.m. with an opening ceremony. FPD Athletic Director Greg Moore says the school is looking forward to welcoming the inspirational athletes to its campus.
“When we learned that Special Olympics Georgia wanted to host their Area 7 Track & Field competition on our campus, we could not have been more pleased,” said Moore. “These athletes are a huge inspiration for our entire school community.”
FPD’s students are preparing to host the athletes with grand affair. FPD’s cheerleaders will welcome them to the stadium while dozens of high school students serve as volunteers during competition.
The day will feature over 300 athletes, ages 8 and up, in 15 track and field events including the 50-meter dash, 100-meter run, 400-meter run, and running long jump among others. Those with significant mobility challenges will participate in wheelchair races and walks ranging from the 10-meter wheelchair race to the 25-meter walk and field events such as the tennis ball throw.
“These athletes are near and dear to everyone’s heart,” said Ann Kearbey, Special Olympics Area 7 Games Chairperson. “They represent the true determination of the human spirit. They are overcoming obstacles, doing things that people might have said were impossible, and finding true joy in doing their absolute best.”
Special Olympics is the first and only organization to offer training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities. There are currently 25, 878 Special Olympics athletes nationwide. The mission of the organization is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Georgia’s Special Olympics Area 7 serves 10 counties in the central Georgia area and around 800 athletes. Counties represented at the April 17 event include Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Jones, Jasper, Monroe, Putnam, Twiggs, Upson and Wilkinson. Those who place at this regional competition will proceed to the state competition at Emory in May.
For more information, visit the Special Olympics Georgia website at www.specialolympicsga.org.