CARRABASSETT VALLEY – While the big storm cut short the winter Special Olympics competitions originally scheduled to run into Tuesday, there was no lack of enthusiasm by the athletes during their competitions.
Nearly 500 athletes and hundreds of coaches, chaperones, and assistants who accompany them arrived at Sugarloaf from across the state for the 46th annual Special Olympics Maine Winter Games. Competitions in Nordic and alpine skiing, snowshoe, speed skating and dual ski got started at 8 a.m. Monday.
Organizers decided to reschedule the finals for Monday afternoon instead of running them into Tuesday after they received word that a major snowstorm was on its way. The storm is expected to start Monday night and continue through Tuesday, dumping as much as 2 feet of snow in some areas of the state.
Event organizers said although the popular Victory Dance, along with the torchlight parade and fireworks, normally held on Monday night was canceled, the Outdoor Center stayed open late on Sunday night so athletes could ice skate, try karaoke and get the party started earlier to celebrate the Olympic event.
“It’s the first time we’ve had to cancel a day of competitions,” said Lisa Bird, spokeswoman for the Special Olympics of Maine.
Only two teams “from way up north,” she said, decided not to come. “Everyone else is here.”
The opening ceremonies, which featured the athletes marching in behind their banners in the parade of champions, was shortened to get the athletes back to their final competitions in the afternoon.
During the opening ceremonies, Carrabassett Valley Town Manager Dave Cota welcomed the athletes and gave thanks to all “the wonderful people who make it possible every year. The town is proud to host this very inspiring event.”
Two-time Olympic gold medalist in snowboard cross, Seth Westcott of Carrabassett Valley, led the athletes in the Special Olympics oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
The youngest Special Olympian competing, Deshawna Averill, 9, of Boothbay, and the oldest athlete to compete, James Reed, 72, of Corinth, with Lt. Tom Harriman of the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department, lit the Flame of Hope and Chandler Woodcock, commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife declared the games officially open.
Racing in the 50-meter snowshoe competition for the first time, Special Olympian Natasha McElmurry of Skowhegan, sprinted across the finish line wearing a big grin. She raised her arms and did a little victory dance celebration as the crowd cheered for her.
“It feels great,” she said before heading off for another race.
After the competitions, an early dinner will be held and the athletes will be heading home.
Despite the storm threat condensing this year’s winter competitions, the day was sunny, the temperature mild for this time of year and there was no wind to contend with, Bird noted.
“It’s a great day for a whole lot of competition,” she said.
Congratulations to all the athletes of Special Olympics! You are all winners!
Hooray to Holly Beaubier and Robert Knox for the great sportsmanship!
Bravo ! The spirit of the Olympians is great to see. Also, as hard times are upon us the little towns around Sugarloaf that support the athletes by cooking and baking for the hardy bunch every year !