By JARROD POTTER
THEY beamed with pride from the tips of their toes to the top of their green, blue and white beanies.
Special Olympics Dandenong Valley region athletes marched joyfully into Pakenham’s Cardinia Life as part of a grand Olympic opening ceremony on Saturday as Special Olympics Victoria held its State Winter Games.
The games were opened by Victorian Minister for Sports and Recreation and Veterans Affairs Damian Drum, State Member for Gembrook Brad Battin, Deputy Police Commissioner Lucinda Nolan and Cardinia Shire Council deputy mayor Brett Owen, with nearly 400 athletes in attendance and the 500-person stand at Cardinia Life at capacity.
The Olympic torch was lit and the flame shone brightly as athletes from around Victoria prepared themselves for the competition ahead.
With 42 basketballers and 30 ten-pin bowlers in its team this year, Dandenong Valley region chair Lynette Gorman said the thrill of helping the athletes participate in the games was the greatest reward.
“They just love it – I’ve got athletes today (Saturday) that just turn up to this event only and they’re all here,” Gorman said.
“We give up a lot of time – it doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a lot of time – but you see the smiles on their faces and to watch them today… they love it… and we get the pleasure out of seeing them having fun.”
The State Winter Games ran across the weekend at venues in Pakenham and Narre Warren.
For more information on Special Olympics Dandenong Valley, encompassing Dandenong, Knox, Casey and surrounds, contact Lynette Gorman at lgorman4@bigpond.com.
