Christie Bohne, a Ramstein High School ninth-grader, recites the Special Olympics oath "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let be brave in the attempt," during the opening ceremony at the 2011 Special Olympics in Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Germany. Around 600 American and German athletes, along with about 1300 volunteers participated in the event on Thursday. (Mike Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Christie Bohne, a Ramstein High School ninth-grader, recites the Special Olympics oath "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let be brave in the attempt," during the opening ceremony at the 2011 Special Olympics in Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Germany. Around 600 American and German athletes, along with about 1300 volunteers participated in the event on Thursday. (Mike Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Tristan Janzen cheers as buddy Paul Swidzinski pushes him to the finish line at the Special Olympics in Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Germany, on Thursday. Around 600 American and German athletes, along with about 1300 volunteers participated in the event. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Buddy Kristina Wilbur watches as Sophie Mahler tosses a softball at the 2011 Special Olympics in Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Germany, on Thursday. Around 600 American and German athletes, along with about 1300 volunteers, participated in the event. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Lorelai Browning of Vilseck High School waves to the crowd as she holds the Special Olympics torch while riding around the track in a Fiat 500 transformed into a fire truck. Around 600 American and German athletes participated in the Special Olympics in Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Germany, along with about 1300 volunteers. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Benjamin Wilke and Lucita Wargel rush towards the finish line in the 50-meter dash at the Special Olympics in Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Germany, on Thursday. Around 600 American and German athletes, along with about 1300 volunteers participated in the event. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Athletes and buddies wave as they ride the U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern train around the German police academy in Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Germany, on Thursday. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Volunteer Strawberry Olive reacts as she watches Ronnie Diaz's ball roll towards the target in the boccie competition at the 2011 Special Olympics in Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Germany, on Thursday. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Around 600 American and German athletes participated in the 2011 Special Olympics in Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Germany, on Thursday.
About 1,300 volunteers – including a “buddy” for each athlete – helped to make things run smoothly.
The games, which took place under a sunny, blue sky at the German police academy in Enkenbach-Alsenborn, was put on by U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern. The athletes participated in such disciplines as softball throw, 50-meter dash, boccie, soccer, long jump and basketball. They were also treated to lunch and entertainment.
It was the 28th time the Kaiserslautern military community has hosted the event.
