MESSAGE #1417 SPECIAL OLYMPICS SUMMER GAMES DAY 2

Today was Day 2 of the Special Olympics Summer Games and it was a wet one. Before matches even began, we went indoors for the event. And we went from having eight tennis courts to four courts. In addition, volunteers, coaches, and college staff had to help out to set up the adjustable tennis nets and net posts.

It was a team effort.

Sometimes in sports and life, you need to make adjustments. And if you focus on being a team player, everybody wins.

One of my favorite Special Olympics stories is from track and field. The event was the 100M dash. All of the special athletes lined up, ready to give it their all to the finish line. The gun was fired and they were off! All except one little boy, who fell at the starting line. The other special athletes noticed, and went back to check on the little boy. One girl bent over to the boy crying, and gave him a kiss on the head and said, “There, that will make it feel better.” And then the most amazing thing happened…

All of the athletes linked arms, and walked to the finish line.

Sometimes in sports and life, you need to make adjustments. And if you focus on being a team player, everybody wins.