Tomorrow evening the annual South Carolina Special Olympics will burst into a flurry of activity across the installation.
Thousands of athletes, coaches and volunteers from across the Palmetto State will descend on Fort Jackson May 5-7 to compete in an event founded on the principle that those with intellectual disabilities can benefit from participation in sports.
SOSC organizers estimate there will be nearly 1,400 delegation members attending, including 1,100 athletes, 200 Volunteer Coaches, and 100 Unified Partners.
Last year Spencer Ware was given the opportunity to hoist the Olympic torch with Col. Morris Goins, Army Training Center chief of staff. Afterwards Ware said it "felt really good to light it."
As part of the opening ceremony the torch was carried over a seven-mile course from the South Carolina State House to Fort Jackson.
The flames of passion in the Olympians heated up across Fort Jackson as the athletes vied against each other in a variety of games including swimming, powerlifting, softball, bocce and gymnastics. Track and Field events will be held at Blythewood High School.
The 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment footprint will be transformed into an Olympic Village flush with games, refreshments and volunteers.
The list of events and times are:
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
Friday, May 5
2 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Registration 3-60 Classroom
4 p.m.-7 p.m. Athlete Dinner 3-60 Dining Hall
5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Family Registration Solomon Center
6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m. Appreciation Reception Solomon Center
7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies Solomon Center
9:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Coaches Meeting 3-60 Classroom
Saturday, May 6
6:30 a.m.-9 a.m. Breakfast 3-60 Dining Hall
8 a.m.-3 p.m. Athletics Blythewood High School
8 a.m.-3 p.m. Under 21 Bowling Century Lanes/Ivy Lanes
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Masters Bocce Hilton Field
8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Softball Hilton Field
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Badminton Blythewood High School
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Aquatics Knight Pool/Legion Pool
9:30 a.m.- noon Powerlifting Vanguard Gym
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Gymnastics All Star Gymnastics
11 a.m.-noon Young Athletes Blythewood High School
11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Lunch Venue Sites
4 p.m.-7 p.m. Athlete Dinner 3-60 Dining Hall
4 p.m.-7 p.m. Family Dinner 3-60 Dining Hall
7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Victory Celebration Solomon Center
Sunday, May 7
7 - 9 a.m. Breakfast 3-60 Dining Hall
9 -9:30 a.m. Worship Service Battalion Chapel
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