MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Two Special Olympic athletes that train at the Mylan Park Aquatic Center won multiple medals at the 2022 USA games in Orlando. Kendra Parsons earned Gold in the 50-meter freestyle, a Silver in the 25-meter back stroke and Angela Mick won a Silver in the 50-meter breaststroke
Heather McIntrye, Assistant Director of Marketing & Outreach for Mylan Park said the Special Olympic programs offer activities for all ages to develop healthy habits.
“These particular two ladies have been a part of Special Olympics for many years,” McIntrye said. ” They’ve been in since around late elementary, middle school age.”
West Virginia Special Olympics Director, Sports & Training, Wendy Miller said the programs allow those with cognitive or physical disabilities to be active, continue developing skills and make friends. Special Olympic athletes take their preferred sports very seriously and want to be recognized.
“They are special and great in so many ways, but we don’t want them to be coined like “special athletes,” Miller said. ” They want to be athletes, they want to be just like everybody else.”
McIntrye and her staff have been preparing for the State Special Olympics Swim Games October 16. Through that preparation McIntrye has been able to get to know the program and participants.
“I was excited to meet with the families,” McIntrye said. ” In talking to them it really hit home how much these athletes enjoy being a part of Special Olympics.”
Miller said Special Olympic programs are free to registered athletes and operate in all 55 counties. The state and national organizations create opportunities to increase the competition and skill levels with a range of tournaments.
“We want opportunities for all of our athletes,” Miller said. ” But those that are excelling, we want to give them the opportunity to take that to the next level and represent West Virginia or even Team USA.”
Special Olympics West Virginia offers spring, summer, fall and winter sports of all types and things like Bocce Ball that can be played by most Special Olympians.
They take it very seriously,” Miller said. “Bocce is one of the most popular sports for Special Olympics overall, but especially in West Virginia.”
For more information about Special Olympics click here.