On Saturday Aug. 12, 2017, The Special Olympics Florida-Hernando County participated in the Area Games competition at Highlander Pool in Dunedin. The 2017 Area 6 Games featured athletes from Pinellas, Pasco, Sumter, Citrus and Hernando Counties. The Special Olympics organization helps people with disabilities participate as productive, respected members of society. Their goal is to offer all members a fair opportunity to cultivate and exhibit their skills and talents through sports training and competition. They also strive to increase the general public’s awareness of their members’ strengths and capabilities. There is never a charge to the athletes or their families to join. Athletes train a minimum of eight weeks or 10 hours prior to their first competition, giving them frequent opportunities to sharpen their athletic skills and develop social skills.
Special Olympics Coach, Beth Anslow, says “I have been involved in special Olympics for as long as I can remember. I love being a coach. It is amazing to be a part of such a wonderful organization. The athletes make it worthwhile.”
For Swimming, the weekly practices are held on Saturdays, June 3 through September 30, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the YMCA of the Suncoast, 1300 Mariner Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34609. The swimming competition season starts with County Games, moves on to Area Games, then moves on to the State Level Competition. Rhonda Coleman, County Director, Special Olympics Florida – Citrus, Hernando and Sumter explains, “The purpose of the competition is to empower our athletes through the joy of sports.” For Area 6 Games there were 5 Hernando County swim coaches and 6 Hernando County volunteers who accompanied the 26 athletes. Rhonda says “We are grateful to Pinellas County Parks and Recreation and Special Olympics Florida-Pinellas County for hosting this Area Competition every year for our athletes.”
Hernando County had 26 athletes competing in 10 different events: 25 Meter Flotation, Assisted Freestyle, Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly and Breaststroke, 50 Meter Freestyle and Backstroke, 100 Meter Individual Medley (all four strokes) and 50 Meter Freestyle Relay (male and female).
Swimmer Lori Anslow, was so excited to compete in area games. In last month’s county games, she won first place for Backstroke and second place for Freestyle.
Unfortunately, she suffered a minor injury just prior to the event and was unable to compete this time. Even though she was incredibly disappointed, Lori still attended the competition to cheer on her friends. She says that she likes competing in the Special Olympics games “Because it is awesome!”
If you want to know more about the local Special Olympics, you can visit specialolympicshernando.org.
Special Olympics Florida- Hernando is proud to provide opportunities for their members to improve their enjoyment of life by participating in Special Olympics activities, however it’s not possible without the help of the dedicated sponsors, staff, coaches, volunteers and families. If you are interested in joining any of the teams as an athlete, coach or volunteer please contact them by email RhondaColeman@specialolympicshernando.org.