Special Olympics draws thousands

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The final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, known as Gary’s Mile in memory of the late Gary Summerville, a UD police officer, brought the Flame of Hope to the opening ceremonies of Special Olympics Delaware at Delaware Stadium. Photo by Kevin Quinlan

3:43 p.m., June 16, 2004--More than 1,000 athletes, from all corners of the state, competed at UD’s David M. Nelson Athletic Complex in the 2004 Special Olympics Delaware summer games Friday-Saturday, June 11-12.

The summer games, the largest annual competition of Special Olympics Delaware, drew 350 volunteer coaches, 1,500 event volunteers and an array of spectators who watched the athletes compete in six events.

Competitions included aquatics, track, bocce, power lifting, tennis and softball.

The summer games officially began with the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which brought the Flame of Hope 160 miles across the state for the opening ceremonies. The torch was then presented to Special Olympics athlete, Ryan Agnor, who lit the cauldron to begin the games.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1987 in Delaware and has raised more than $1.6 million. The last leg of the run, Gary’s Mile, is a tribute to the late Maj. Gary Summerville, a UD police officer who died in a traffic accident in 1999.

Athletes who needed a break from the competition went to the Olympic village, located on the field in front of Delaware Stadium, where they could participate in activities such as Healthy Athletes, a series of health screenings and education, and the Cingular Expression Connection, which gave participants a chance to call home free of charge.

For information on upcoming Special Olympics events, visit [www.sode.org].

Article by Meredith McCarty, AS ’05
Photos by Duane Perry

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