Special Olympics: Doing More

Lauren Wagner

REXBURG, Idaho- The Special Olympics is a very dynamic program that helps athletes and
volunteers to be better.
In this lifetime, most of us will not know what its like to participate in the Olympics but this is nothing
new to 26-year-old Gary Endecott. Endecott has been competing in the Special Olympics since
2008, when he was a junior in high school. In the last winter Olympic games hosted in Jackson Hole,
Wyoming, Endecott competed in down hill skiing and won two
gold medals. The key to his success you ask?
I imagine winning gold, Endecott said.
The Special Olympics is a very dynamic program. Wyoming
has five state-wide games year round, and they provide 8 to 10
week trainings for athletes in addition to other opportunities for
general strength and fitness exercises.
They try to make the games as close to the actual Olympics
as they can, Carolyn Burke, the Winter Special Olympics
volunteer coordinator in Jackson Hole, said.
The state winter games had over 300 athletes and lasted
for three days. The games included an opening ceremony
similar to that of the Olympics. There was an athlete parade,
and opening torch ceremony. The games had three days of
competition with awards given twice a day, followed by a
closing banquet. Meals were provided for athletes. The Snow
King Resort in Jackson also provided rooms for athletes to stay
in for the duration of the games. The Jackson Hole Mountain
Resort hosted all of the ski events.

Ski lift, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Thursday, March 25, 2016
(Photo/Lauren Wagner)

The Special Olympics have had a great impact on Endecott. He is on an adult independent team
named CES Ski. This team has 15 members; three are in Endecotts age group. In the last winter
games, Endecott won two gold, and one bronze in alpine skiing.
Endecott doesnt just compete in the winter games but he also participates in the Summer Olympics.
He is on a basketball team, soccer team, and is also involved in track and field. His events are the
200 meter run, the 100 meter run, and the line jump. For track and field, athletes are allowed to
participate in three events. This is done so all athletes can participate, and it also keeps the games
from running to long.
My goal is to be a better athlete, Endecott said.

Snow King Resort, hotel where athletes stayed

Thrusday, March 25, 2016
(Photo/Lauren Wagner)

Not only does Endecott benefit from the exciting

games, but he also benefits from
his CES group also known as Community
Entry Services. This group helps athletes live
an independent life. CES helps with things such as
bills, taxes, or anything else that is needed.

For those who are under the age of eight, there is the Young Athletes Program. According to the
Young Athlete brochure, this sports program allows children to learn basic sport skills as well as be
involved in the Special Olympics community.
Endecott, and other athletes profit from the wide
variety of programs that the Special Olympics hosts. All
programs are designed to help the athletes. The only
requirement is that participants must be at least 8 years
old and have an intellectual disability or something
similar to it.

Gary Endecott, Athlete

Friday, February 19, 2016 (Photo/Lauren Wagner)

For those who are under the age of eight, there is

the Young Athletes Program. According to the Young
Athlete brochure, this sports program allows children
to learn basic sport skills, as well as be involved in the
Special Olympics community.

Another amazing program the Special Olympics

sponsors is Healthy Athletes. Doctors help teach
participants how to live a healthy life. According to the Special Olympics fact sheet this program
improves health and fitness, causing athletes to have a better sport experience.
There is also a leadership program which trains athletes to serve in meaningful leadership
roles. There are many athletes serving as members on the Board of Directors, committees and
spokespersons. When serving on these committees, athletes are able to advocate for the Special
Olympics, and help the mission to come to pass.
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition
in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them
continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and
participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics
athletes and the community.
The most amazing part of the Special Olympics is that it is available to so many, and is no cost to
the athlete. Funding comes from fundraisers on the local and state levels, as well as some aid on
national level. There are six main fundraising events that occur throughout the year. One of the most
popular events is the Jackalope Jump. This event is where participants jump into freezing water to
raise money. According to the Wyoming Special Olympic website, there are prizes given for largest
group, most money raised, and best costume. The Special Olympics also rely on volunteer service,
which helps build a sense of community.
Carolyn Burke, the volunteer coordinator for the Jackson Hole Winter Olympics has witnessed the
impact that this program can have. Burkes involvement with the Special Olympics started with her
son, Brendon. Brendon was diagnosed with an intellectual disability when he was a toddler. He
did the Special Olympics Young Athletes program, until the age of eight when he started with the
Special Olympics.
Burke, because of her son, helped with the Winter games in 2012, and has been asked to help every
year since.

I think I just fell into it, Burke said. Through her service,
Burke has witnessed how the Special Olympics builds a sense
of community.
When looking for volunteers to help with the winter Olympics,
Burke looks for people who are positive and very supportive.
One of the goals of the Special Olympics is to help build
friendship and develop teamwork. Endecott said that the
athletes all watch each other compete, and that he has many
friends that cheer him on.
They support each other like you wont believe, Burke said.
The Special Olympic community is very supportive. Another
one of the programs that the Special Olympics offers is
Unified Sports. This program creates teams of youth with and
without intellectual disabilities. According to the Wyoming
Special Olympics website, the purpose is to build friendships,
develop team work, and build a community of acceptance.
Carolyn Burke, Volunteer Coordinator
Friday, February 16, 2016
(Photo/Lauren Wagner)

The Special Olympics community is also very large.

170 countries, including all of the United States, have this
program. There are nearly 50,000 games held each year,
world wide. Every two years there are World Games that alternate between summer and winter
sports. In 2018, the World Winter Games will be held in Seattle, Washington.

Endecott almost had the opportunity to go to the World Games, but was unable to because they
were looking for a level two Alpine skier from the state of Wyoming. Endecott is a level three skier.
The winter games for the Special Olympics breaks down the sports into different levels. This is
done in order to help assist the athletes. There are volunteers who physically help athletes ski. Level
one athletes have someone next to them just in case they need assistance. Level two athletes are
fairly independent and have helpers waiting on the side lines. Level three athletes are completely
independent and in the words of Burke just go.
The Special Olympics is a great dynamic
program. It helps all those involved from the
athletes to the volunteers. The Special Olympics
continually give participants opportunities to
be better athletes, have courage and joy, as
well as develop friendships with their families,
other athletes, and the community. Thanks to
athletes and participants, Jackson just had a very
successful winter games. How do we know this?
Endecott said, The games are successful when I
have fun.
Jackson Hole Antler Arch, since the State Winter
games were hosted there
Friday, February 16, 2016 (Photo/Lauren Wagner)

In agreeance Burke said, The games are

successful when I see smiles.

The Teton Mountain Range

Friday, Feburary 19, 2016
(Photo/Lauren Wagner)