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| News > Elmendorf hosts Special Olympics bowling tournament |
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Elmendorf hosts Special Olympics bowling tournament
Posted 11/25/2009 Updated 11/25/2009
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by Airman 1st Class Christopher Gross
3rd Wing Public Affairs
11/25/2009 - ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Elmendorf hosted the 2009 Special Olympics Alaska Bowling Tournament at its Polar Bowl facility Nov. 20-22. Roughly 244 athletes from seven Alaska communities, from as far away as Juneau, teamed up with more than 300 military and civilian volunteers and approximately 100 certified Special Olympic coaches.
Athletes, who have been training since August, were divided into groups, based on their gender, age and ability. Over the three days they bowled a total of nine games. Three games with four-man teams, three games of doubles and three games individually.
The SO-Alaska has existed since 1969 and Elmendorf has been associated with them since the mid 1970's.
"Elmendorf has been tremendous friends of the Special Olympics," said Jim Balamaci, president and CEO of SO-Alaska. "These are great opportunities that give our athletes the chance to see a military base, and work with military personnel and uniting the communities even more."
The games are a great way to focus on the abilities of these athletes rather than the disabilities, said Mr. Balamaci, who's been involved with SO-Alaska since 1979.
He praised the efforts of Capt. Mindy Davitch, 3rd Force Support Squadron operations officer, who was the main military coordinator for the weekend event.
Captain Davitch said she and her team started preparing for this event in June of this year. They did everything from working with the 3rd Security Forces Squadron to run background checks on everyone entering the base without a government identification card, having the Iditarod Dining Facility prepare meals for the athletes, scheduling shuttle services, ensuring Polar Bowl ramps were wheelchair accessible and numerous other tasks.
All the work was worth it as the weekend couldn't have gone any better, said Captain Davitch.
"It was fantastic," she said. "This was such a positive experience for the base."
For Tech. Sgt. Jack Waid, 3rd FSS, couldn't the weekend activities were of special importance.
Sergeant Waid's son Robert, who's 14, participated in the tournament. Waid said his son was diagnosed with high functioning autism at age three and that this was his first year participating in any SO-Alaska events.
"He just really likes playing for the Special Olympics," said Sergeant Waid. "We've seen him come out of his shell because of his involvement."
Sergeant Waid said that he was extremely proud of his son's accomplishments over the weekend, as Robert earned a gold medal in one of the single divisions.
"When everyone is accepted equally good things will happen," said Mr. Balamaci. |
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