Special Olympics opening ceremony commences

June 10--Charles Williams of Terre Haute can't think of a better way he'd rather celebrate his 61st birthday today than representing Vigo County in bowling during the annual Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games this weekend.

Opening ceremonies for the Summer Games, which debuted in Terre Haute in June 1969, took place Friday evening in Hulman Center.

Before the official ceremonies started, Olympians from 63 delegations gathered outside to prepare for their "Parade of Athletes," which eventually led them inside through lines of high-fivers on the Hulman Center floor.

"I've done pretty well," said Williams, a second-year Special Olympics competitor who will bowl today and also Sunday in the Terre Haute Bowling Center. "I think this year will be my best. My high game is 205."

Meanwhile, Jessica Poindexter is coaching the Vigo County Special Olympics track and field team for the second straight year. An administrative assistant for Happiness Bag, she is guiding 17 athletes this weekend.

"We have an awesome group," she said. "Everyone showed up on time today and made me proud. ... That's all that you can really ask for. They're a good group of people, and I'm lucky to work with them."

Poindexter's track team has been practicing since April.

"The majority of our team will run the 50[-meter dash], they'll do the standing long jump and they'll do the softball throw," she explained. "We have a wide age range -- from about 9 on up to late 30s [on the track team]. I expect all of them to do well."

The long jump and preliminary runs in the 50 took place earlier Friday. Today, finals for the 50 will take place.

The Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games will conclude Sunday.

"This is so rewarding ... the friendships that you make," Poindexter said. "I just walked up here [outside Hulman Center] and a dozen people yelled 'Jessica!' They're just happy to see me. It warms my heart to be able to hang out with them."

One of Poindexter's track athletes is Natasha Morris of West Terre Haute. She's entered in the 50, standing long jump and softball throw.

So what does Morris, a veteran of past Special Olympics, like best about this weekend?

"Being with my friends," she replied. "The 50-meter dash is my favorite event. I'm getting faster."

Almost 2,700 Special Olympics athletes and unified partners are participating in the organization's largest annual sporting event, with competitions scheduled in bocce, bowling, cycling, horseshoes, powerlifting, swimming, track and field, and volleyball.

An additional 1,100 coaches and 1,500 volunteers are expected, along with family members and supporters. The Games are open to the public and free to attend.

The slogan for the 2017 Games is "You Can!"

In an email this week, Special Olympics Indiana billed itself as a not-for-profit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in more than 20 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, reaching more than 13,000 athletes across the state.

David Hughes can be reached at 812-231-4224 or at david.hughes@tribstar.com. Follow David on Twitter @ TribStarDavid.

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