Special Olympics Closing Ceremony ends with a dance party and high hopes for the future
The turf of Kelly/Shorts Stadium was filled with a mixture of Special Olympics athletes, volunteers and medical personnel on Friday night. Some athletes wore their competition t-shirts, while others sported pressed polos and glamorous dresses. Chatter filled the field as athletes united with friends and family.
The motorcyclists of the Michigan Moose Riders had positioned themselves around the top of the stands. Below, the stage was set for the fabulous closure of the 2019 Special Olympics Michigan State Summer Games.
Athletes were posing for photos, showcasing their gold, silver and bronze medals. Some carried a green autograph sheet, which was signed by volunteers, the Moose riders, and their fellow athletes.
ABC reporter and passionate Special Olympics volunteer, Ann Marie LaFlamme, led the announcements and precessions. Her voice was full of enthusiasm as she engaged the audience of accomplished athletes.
The festivities began with crowning the Special Olympics King and Queen.
Then LaFlamme announced the 2019 Inspirational Athlete of the Year, Michael Currie. Currie has been involved in Special Olympics for more than 10 years, competing in five sports. He is a high school graduate and has worked for the same company for 10 years. He also raised more than $40,000 for Special Olympics during the Polar Plunge.
Grinning ear to ear, Currie accepted the award.
Following the ceremony, the Moose Riders revved their engines in unison. Paired with the roaring of athletes, the sound was enough to excite the whole stadium.
After months of vigorous training, now was the time to celebrate.
Members of local police stations and armed forces kicked off the dance party. The servicemen performed a rendition of YMCA. Athletes looked on with animated expressions as they mirrored the iconic dance.
Outside the stadium, on the crosswalk across Broomfield, National guardsmen danced along as they conducted traffic. Athletes looked to the servicemen with great admiration, asking for autographs or photos.
“I love seeing the interaction between the athletes and law enforcement,” Law Enforcement Supervisor John Card said. “Year after year they come and seek us out, they recognize us, especially in the uniform.”
From end zone to end zone, more than 3,000 athletes danced like no one was watching. This year had the most athletes participating since the 2004 Summer Games.
Along with the athletes, 635 volunteers sang, danced and signed autograph sheets. SOMI events are famous for their day-of volunteering, so large numbers enlist their help at every occasion.
“This is my first time doing this and I’ve never interacted with this kind of population” said volunteer Mario Rodriguez. “Every athlete I’ve met has been so genuinely nice.”
Volunteer Erika Vichales agreed.
“This community is so positive and uplifting, it’s infectious,” Vichales said.
As the dance party wound down, a rainbow of colored shirts could be seen funneling out of Kelly/Shorts. The Moose Riders revved their engines one last time as they peeled away from campus.
“When I think of natural inclusion, I think of my daughter who loves Special Olympics and can’t wait to be a Unified partner,” President and CEO of Special Olympics Tim Hileman said. “She did Polar Plunge this year, and when I asked her why, she told me it’s because ‘everyone deserves a chance to play sports.’ If that message continues to spread, what an incredible future we have.”
