Palestine YMCA to host Special Olympics Aquatics Competition

July 22--The YMCA of Palestine will host an event showcasing the aquatics abilities of an extraordinary group of people on Saturday, not to mention the local support system that makes the event possible.

The YMCA will host the Special Olympics of Texas East Texas Area Aquatics Competition. The opening ceremony begins at 9 a.m. and competition will run from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

There will be 66 competitors that have intellectual and developmental disabilities in ages ranging from 12 to 75. They will compete in traditional swimming events such as the butterfly, the backstroke and relays to an unusual aquatics events: the 15-meter walk. Many of the participants will be aiming for a strong performance before participating in the Special Olympics Texas Fall Classic to be held in October at Texas A&M University in College Station.

According to Special Olympics Texas area director Anthony Key and Palestine YMCA aquatics director Matt Cotton there are no area participants signed up to compete, but the Tyler Rose Swimming Club will have a strong presence. The local presence will be those who work the event, and they will show an uncommon level of commitment.

"All of our lifeguards are working for free," Cotton said. "We have workers from area high schools, junior high school and church youth groups that are volunteers too."

Cotton believes this is the eighth time the YMCA of Palestine has hosted a Special Olympics event.

Cotton said a difference in this year is the YMCA was notified early this month it would host the event, making for a quick turnaround to get ready.

"We will accept anyone who is still interested in volunteering," Cotton said.

Cotton said while there may be a lack of local athletes competing he is hopeful the event will raise awareness of people with special needs. Admission is free to the competition.

"It sheds light that we have people in this community who have special needs," Cotton said. "We hope this helps parents especially if they don't know that their kids can do things like Special Olympics."

Anyone interested in volunteering for the event can call the YMCA of Palestine at 903-729-3139 or apply in person starting at 8 a.m. Saturday.

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