CARRABASSETT VALLEY – The 44th annual Special Olympics Maine winter games kicked off today with an opening ceremony that celebrated its late founder, Mickey Boutilier and an enthusiastic “go for the gold” from Olympic gold medalist Seth Wescott.
About 500 athletes from 80 communities across Maine are competing in Nordic and alpine skiing, speed skating, snowshoeing and dual ski events held Monday and Tuesday at Sugarloaf, The Outdoor Center and at Carrabassett Valley Academy.
In unusually warm weather, the 65-team parade of champions with athletes, coaches and volunteers numbering in the several hundreds, carried colorful banners as they marched into the village square for the opening ceremonies.
Boutilier, a special education teacher, was remembered during the ceremony for his life-long advocacy of children with intellectual disabilities and for founding the Special Olympics in Maine. In 1968, Boutilier took a group of special education students from Maine to compete in the first Special Olympics held at Soldiers Field in Chicago. The Special Olympics was started by Eunice Kennedy Shriver and the next year, in 1969, Boutilier was named by the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation as the executive director of Special Olympics Maine.
The next year, in 1969, the world’s first Special Olympics winter games was held in Gorham, Maine. Boutilier served as executive director and then CEO of Special Olympics Maine for more than 35 years. At 83, Boutilier died little more than a month ago on Dec. 24, 2012.
His great grandchildren, Noah Bird and Tristan Underwood, lit the Special Olympics torch today. Many of the athletes wore buttons with Boutilier’s photograph. Some carried placards in the ceremony.
“It all started with Mickey and what’s best for the athletes,” Steve Pierce, the game’s director, told those assembled. “And now we dedicate ourselves to the mission of the Special Olympics.”
When it was Wescott’s turn he told the athletes, “I know how exciting it is to walk in the opening ceremonies. You get that today.” He said he hopes to march in a third opening ceremonies and recommended to the Special Olympians that no matter the outcome, be sure to have fun doing it.
He led the athletes in their Special Olympics oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
“Go for the gold,” Wescott said to cheers from the crowd, “and may you all stay on your feet.”
“There’s a whole lot of Olympic champions in the house,” the program’s emcee, Lisa Bird told those assembled. Lisa Bird’s father, Robert Underwood of Farmington, was raised in part by Boutilier. Underwood, his wife Charlotte Underwood, and daughter Lisa, all have for years helped with the Special Olympics games.
Volunteers provide for the teams in many ways, including what is said to be the largest community supper on Sunday night. Each year, residents of the Carrabassett Valley area host a potluck-style supper for 800 or more hungry participants. Also volunteering are members of law enforcement who award medals to the athletes at each venue.
“It’s the volunteers who make it happen,” Bird said after the ceremony. The games continue to noon Tuesday with a closing ceremony.
Thank you Carrabassett Valley and volunteers for all you do each year for the Olympians. This is a wonderful event.
This is a stunning event with some of the most dedicated individuals on this earth. Everyone should take a Monday Morning off sometime to take this in in person You will agree it is one of the greatest experiences.