Special Olympians from Kaiserslautern High School and their "buddies" parade before the crowd at Wednesday's Special Olympics at the German police academy in Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Germany. More than 800 athletes and 1,500 volunteers participated in the games. (Steve Mraz / Stars and Stripes)
ENKENBACH-ALSENBORN, Germany — When the starter yells “go,” the athletes bolt off the line, rapidly extending their speed and the smiles on their faces.
By the time they cross the finish line, their ear-to-ear grins spread to the faces of the volunteers, parents and friends surrounding them.
Such was the case Wednesday during the sprints at the 22nd annual Special Olympics held at the German police academy in Enkenbach-Alsenborn. More than 800 athletes and a staggering 1,500 volunteers attended this year’s games, which ranged from track and field to basketball.
Worldwide, Special Olympics reaches more than 1.7 million people with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries.
Following Wednesday’s parade of athletes and torch-lighting, Lt. Col. Erik Daiga, commander of the 415th Base Support Battalion, signaled the start of competition around 10:30 a.m. with the traditional phrase — “Let the games begin.”
“When this day is over, everyone will be a winner,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you finish first or last.”
The mass of volunteers began escorting their special-needs adults and children to event locations.
Some of the German and American athletes slipped soccer shots past diving volunteer goalkeepers. Others drained long-distance basketball shots that had volunteers looking at each other in disbelief. And a few volunteers raced down the track pushing wheelchair-bound athletes.
Staff Sgt. Anthony Smith with the USAFE Operational Weather Squadron has volunteered with the Special Olympics seven times. Wednesday’s event was the second time he helped out with Special Olympics in Germany.
“Seeing how bright their eyes are and how happy they are makes me feel good inside,” he said. “You come out and see how happy they are, and it just makes you happy.”
Wednesday marked the sixth time the Special Olympics took place at the police academy, said Karl Höhn, director of the academy.
And since last year, the event has grown from 600 athletes and 1,400 volunteers to its current size. The amount of volunteers speaks volumes, said Valerie Diaz, Special Olympics coordinator.
“It says Special Olympics is important to the community,” she said. “We’ve been doing this for 22 years, and it gets stronger every year.”
The large turnout and support Wednesday epitomizes the Kaiserslautern military community, Daiga said.
“A lot of Germans and Americans are willing to give their time,” he said. “They’re giving up a day for something greater than themselves.”
Special Olympians from Kaiserslautern High School and their "buddies" parade before the crowd at Wednesday's Special Olympics at the German police academy in Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Germany. More than 800 athletes and 1,500 volunteers participated in the games. (Steve Mraz / Stars and Stripes)
Sven Kozlowski, 10, leads the competition Wednesday during a Special Olympics race at the German police academy in Enkenbach-Alsenborn. (Steve Mraz / Stars and Stripes)
With the Special Olympics torch aflame in the background, athletes sprint from the starting line during a race in Wednesday's games. (Steve Mraz / Stars and Stripes)
Special Olympics athlete Vikolai Alunik, 16, launches a basketball at Wednesday's games as Spc. Jennifer Villagomez, right, of the 415th Base Support Battalion watches. (Steve Mraz / Stars and Stripes)
Lt. Col. Erik Daiga, lower left, commander of the 415th Base Support Battalion, addresses athletes and volunteers at Wednesday's Special Olympics. (Steve Mraz / Stars and Stripes)
