The Kentucky Special Olympics is celebrating a milestone this weekend in Richmond. For the 25th year Eastern Kentucky University is hosting the annual competition featuring athletes from all across the Commonwealth.
Special Olympics Spokesperson Mark Buerger said “I think one of my favorite things about this weekend every year is the energy on the campus, once our athletes get here. The joy that they have, the excitement they have for being here is really contagious and it extends to staff like me, our volunteers, people who are just wandering around campus."
Prior to 1995, the games rotated to campus sites every two years. Buerger said that was good for exposure, but in some ways it was like starting from scratch every other year. “The people at Eastern made it so easy to build the games here and hold the games here and have every time we’ve been back since and that’s the biggest reason we keep coming back. A lot of the folks that we are involved in to put the games together have been here for all of them,” noted Buerger.
Buerger added the opening ceremony is scheduled at 6:45 Friday in the EKU ravine. He said close to 1,5oo athletes will compete tomorrow in track and field, swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, bocce ball and soccer. Volunteers can still sign up by stopping by registration between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.
People like you value experienced, knowledgeable and award-winning journalism that covers meaningful stories in Central and Eastern Kentucky. To support more stories and interviews like this one, please consider making a contribution.
