More than 400 athletes competed in the 23rd annual De Soto High School Special Olympics track meet on April 18, said Terri Dallas, leisure services program manager at Pony Bird.
She said the day was a success.
“It was perfect,” she said. “We had sunny skies, and the high got up into the 70s. You couldn’t have asked for better.”
Athletes from school districts and organizations throughout Jefferson County, as well as some from outside the county, participated in the meet. The athletes, who have developmental disabilities, ranged in age from 8 up to their 60s. They competed in many traditional track and field events, as well as some modified ones, Dallas said.
“We have the traditional running events that you would have in high school track meets. Then we also modify some of the events. Instead of a shotput, they throw a softball. Or instead of a standard javelin, they throw a turbo javelin, which is a shorter plastic javelin that’s easier to throw. We also have a few developmental games. Those are for our individuals who can’t run or throw or do things at a longer distance. Instead of the typical long jump, we have the standing long jump where they jump from a standing position into the sand.”
Dallas said the event is a great opportunity for competitors who don’t get to participate in typical high school sports.
“The competition is their way to really be shining stars at their schools,” she said. “Many of them take this very seriously.”
“This is not just a way for them to get out and have a good time and be out in the sun. It’s a day to actually compete, to display their skills in their sports, and it’s awesome to see how well they do.”
More than 650 volunteers helped with the event, which the De Soto High Student Council helps organize and run. More than 175 De Soto High School students volunteered, as did students from the participating schools. The volunteers helped run the track events and paired up as buddies with participants to help them throughout the meet.
“The best part about the track meet, other than the athletes, is the connection between our school youth and the Special Olympics athletes in the program,” said Dallas.
The event also featured an Olympic Village featuring carnival events and karaoke for athletes to do during their free time between events.
“It’s really cool to see the partnership we have with the De Soto School District and the Special Olympics program to provide such a large track meet,” Dallas said. “This is one of the largest local track meets for Special Olympics in the state of Missouri.”
De Soto community members also pitched it to make the event a success.
“The De Soto AMVETS always helps to offer lunches to all our coaches, volunteers and athletes. This year they prepared 1,200 lunches that were passed out through the day,” Dallas said. “The AMVETS have been there from the get-go. They’ve been our supporters for 23 years.”