Return to the "POINTER VIEW"
                         May 10, 2002

West Point ready for 28th Annual Special Olympics

By Kathy Eastwood
Staff Writer

West Point will host the 28th Annual Special Olympic games here Saturday. Opening ceremonies are slated to start 10 a.m. at Shea Stadium and U.S. Military Academy Superintendent, Lt. Gen. William J. Lennox Jr. will be the Grand Marshal.

The day-long event will feature track events at Shea Stadium, field events and softball throws at the North Athletic Field and swimming and adaptives (games reserved for the more severely-challenged) at Arvin Gymnasium.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate the games will be held at Gillis Field House and Arvin Gym, said cadet in charge, Cadet 1st Class, Mike Block, who has participated in the Special Olympics throughout his cadet career.

"It’s a special event and gives the volunteers and athletes both a great sense of accomplishment," Block said.

Approximately 500 athletes and 700 cadet volunteers will be at the event. As usual, security checks will be in force.

"Arrive early and enter through Thayer gate," Block advises.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of President John F. Kennedy, founded Special Olympics in 1968 to "participate in athletic events, to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families and other Special Olympics athletes and the community," according to a statement on the official Special Olympics Web site at www.specialolympics.org.

The games are open to adults and children who are at least 8 years old and have been diagnosed by a professional as having mental retardation, cognitive delays or significant learning disabilities. There is no charge for athletes or spectators.