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PROVO -- Competition in the 2009 Special Olympics Utah Summer Games began Thursday morning, and more than 1,300 athletes and coaches are now in Provo from all over the state. It's the largest Special Olympics competition of the year.
Ogden resident Mandy Hoggan is a veteran in the Special Olympics. She has won a number of medals, and she added another one Thursday when she raced in the 100-meter on-track bike competition.
Mandy is just one of hundreds of Special Olympians who are participating in this year's competition. The various events are spread out all over the BYU campus.
On the track, there are the 50 and 100 meter wheelchair races. On the other side of the field, several T-ball games are going on. There's softball too, and soccer.
These athletes and their teammates have earned their way to these Summer Games by qualifying in earlier competitions.
"Special Olympics is a year-round kind of thing; it's not just a one-time thing. They compete at the local level and go all the way up. Some even go to nationals and international competition, explained Natalie Thornley, spokeswoman for Special Olympics Utah.
Dirk Howe of West Valley has been here before. He's looking to repeat as the gold medal winner in the softball throw. "I think I can. I threw it about 150 feet at the preliminaries," he said.
Besides the sporting events, there's also other entertainment for the athletes, families and volunteers: everything from food to face painting to souvenir shopping.
"Everything is free to the public all week and weekend, so we sure hope that people come down and support all of the athletes that are here," Thornley said.
Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics Utah Summer Games begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at BYU. Competition resumes Friday and Saturday, and Closing Ceremonies will be held Saturday about 4:30 p.m.
E-mail: kmccord@ksl.com
