Special Olympics Kentucky hosts annual summer games at Eastern Kentucky University

RICHMOND, Ky. (FOX 56) – 2020 canceled it, 2021 restricted it, now in 2022 the Particular Olympics Kentucky Summer season Video games noticed a turnout that resembled their pre-pandemic numbers.

Over 900 athletes and upwards of 800 volunteers took half on this 12 months’s video games on the Japanese Kentucky College campus this weekend. Being again to considerably regular had some volunteers confused.

“It’s unimaginable. There are simply no phrases to explain it trigger the athletes, they arrive out right here with such vitality,” mentioned Edwin Shouse. “And to have the ability to see their smiling faces, see how they simply work together with one another, cheering with one another, the sportsmanship. I imply you’ll be able to’t put a worth on the smile they carry out right here.”

Shouse has volunteered for Particular Olympics Kentucky occasions for 15 years.

He cited the friendships he has made throughout that point as the first cause for why he retains coming again.

“It’s the athletes,” Shouse mentioned. “You create lifelong friendships with so many individuals across the state. You get to know athletes from western Kentucky, northern Kentucky. You recognize I’m from Central Kentucky. You get to know the coaches, the opposite Particular Olympics employees. It’s simply an incredible group to be round.”

This 12 months’s video games had been the twenty seventh time EKU hosted Particular Olympics Kentucky’s Summer season Video games, so one can say it has type of turn out to be a house away from residence for the employees and the athletes.

“To be in Richmond, Kentucky,” mentioned President and CEO of Particular Olympics Kentucky Trish Mazzoni. “We name it our residence away from residence. That is our twenty seventh 12 months right here on this campus they usually embrace us. It’s such a heat and welcoming neighborhood.”

If you wish to volunteer for a future Particular Olympics Kentucky whether or not it’s later this 12 months or for the 2023 Summer season Video games, you’ll find them at soky.org