Hotchkiss hosts Special Olympics aquatics

LAKEVILLE — Things went swimmingly well at the Special Olympics 2010 Aquatics Invitational on Sunday, April 18, held for the first time at The Hotchkiss School.

The event brought together more than 72 Special Olympic athletes from Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.

Participants took part in 23  events, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, relay and walk.

Before the events began, the swimmers all said the oath, which was first spoken by Roman gladiators: “Let me win, but if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt.â€

Actress Susan Saint James, who has volunteered with the organization since 1971 and has served on the board of the Connecticut chapter since 1983, was present to give the opening remarks at the pre-game ceremony.

“I first started with the 1971 California games, just because I wanted to meet the Kennedys,†Saint James quipped in an interview before the ceremony. “I was curious about the Special Olympics and I wanted to know how it worked. I totally fell in love with it over the years.

“If you look back to the 1960s and the 1970s, you had a whole population of people who were disenfranchised and did not live among us. The Special Olympics helps to get these people out into the world.â€

Saint James said she hopes more people will attend and volunteer at Special Olympic events.

“The one thing missing from these events is people,†she said. “People would be shocked at the incredible quality of these competitions. People like you and I stay athletic in our senior years to stay in shape. These types of events help Special Olympic athletes stay stronger and smarter.â€

According to the Special Olympics Connecticut state chapter Web site at soct.org, the mission of the Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

“The organization has changed not just America, but also countries in the way they think about disabled people,†Saint James said. “I used to tell my daughter that if you want to find a good husband, find someone who volunteers in the Special Olympics.â€

“The facilities at Hotchkiss are fantastic, we’re so grateful to Keith Moon and the students here for all their support, this year and over the years,†said Rob Gerowe, regional director for the Northwest Office of Special Olympics Connecticut.

The school covered the costs for food and hosting. Students from other regional schools helped out as well, including some from  Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Indian Mountain School and Kent School.

“Normally when these kids are together at a pool, they’re competing against each other,†Gerowe said. “This was a nice chance for them to work side by side and cheer on the Special Olympic athletes.â€

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