January 20, 1999
It is in the joy of just being there
By Garret Leiva
Herald staff writer
Competition is often defined in terms of winning and losing. Sometimes, however, a true competitor is one that reaches the starting line.
This spirit of determination was found on the faces of more than 100 athletes who competed in the annual Special Olympics winter games held Thursday at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center.
Competing in this year's games where students from Central Grade School, East Junior High and the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District Adult Work Center. Athletes ages 8 to 30 took their mark in the 50 meter snowshoe race, 50 meter, 100 meter and 1K cross-country ski race.
Those competing in each 6 person heat were presented with a ribbon during a lunch time awards ceremony said Lorraine Laird, a special education teacher at East Junior High.
"Whether they get first or sixth, most of them are just pretty excited they finished," said Laird, who helped organize the games along with 25 other volunteers, including members from the United States Coast Guard and the East Junior High National Honor Society.
Cheering from the sidelines, Ron Green of the state Special Olympics office said the games are meant to be more than a 30 second sprint. Athletes train for 8 weeks prior to competition, building life skills and self-esteem in the process.
"Everything our athletes learn - from snowshoeing and cross-country skiing - they can take back to their homes and continue," said Green, who has been involved with Special Olympics for the past 23 years.
"Hopefully these are life skills that don't end with a 30 second race."
For some athletes, the games don't end with one race either. Students nominated by their teacher or care provider will compete next month in the state Special Olympics games held at Sugar Loaf Resort in Cedar. A select few may even take part in the World Games in Raleigh, N.C.
While no local winter athlete has competed in world games, Area II director Shelia Blonshine has seen tremendous growth in the five-county Special Olympics program. In the past 20 years, it has gone from basic track and field events to a year-round sports program. The number of athletes on file has jumped from 10 to 360.
"It has been very exciting to see all the growth in the athletes and the athletics offered," said Blonshine, who has a son competing in the program and will herself coach aquatics at this year's World Games.
While the games award athletes, equally rewarded are those taking timings and snapping on snowshoes.
"The neatest part is seeing the faces of people that could use our smiles and our handshake," noted Lt. Kevin Nelson, public affairs officer with the Traverse City Coast Guard Air Station.
For many, it is these expressions that constitute the true spirit of competition.
"Just the sheer joy on the faces of these athletes, it doesn't matter if they're first or last, they're happy," said Green. "Sometimes the real accomplishment is just getting there."