SPECIAL OLYMPICS: ATHLETES COMPETE SATURDAY

Just like any athlete training for an event, the 350 athletes who will compete in the Southeast Area Special Olympics Track and Field Meet Saturday want to do their best.

Opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics begin at 10 a.m. at the Central High School Track, 205 Caruthers.

The Special Olympics athletes deserve an opportunity to compete just like any other athlete, said Penny Blanford, area director for Special Olympics.

"You always hear about Special Olympics this time of year, but we have year-round sports for the athletes," said Blanford, who is a recreation supervisor for Cape Girardeau.

"It's been known for so long as just track and field, but just like regular sports have seasons, we have a Special Olympics season just the same," she said.

There are softball teams, bowling and floor hockey activities.

The 350 athletes who have registered for Saturday's events represent 19 counties from St. Francois County to the north to the Arkansas state line to the south.

Two hundred of the athletes will advance to the state competition at Fort Leonard Wood.

With so many athletes competing, it takes plenty of volunteers to make sure every event runs smoothly.

"It's such a neat day. We have almost as many volunteers as we have athletes," Blanford said. "Everybody always asks `What do I do when I get there?' But I say if everybody makes a friend that day and sees that their athlete gets to all their events on time, they've done their job."

The event is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department, Commerce Bank of Southeast Missouri, Zimmer Broadcasting and Ahrens Appraisal Service.