Every four years, Special Olympians around the country participate in the Special Olympics USA Games. It is a premiere event that showcases the incredible nature of sports. This year, three Boothbay Region athletes  and one coach traveled to Seattle, Washington to compete in the 2018 Games, July 1-6. This prestigious event features 14 sports, and expects 70,000 spectators with 3,000 athletes competing over its six days. The event is the largest volunteer effort in the world, with 10,000 volunteers participating.

The athletes chosen from Boothbay were Valerie Giles, Grace Giles, and Danny Miller. Valerie Giles will be playing for the soccer team. Grace Giles and Miller will be competing in the swimming events. Toby Leconte, the Boothbay Region Elementary School special education teacher, will be coaching the track and field athletes. Leconte spoke about the extensive training the three underwent. The group went to training camp, team meetings, practices, did strength workouts, conditioning and more. Leconte said she is ecstatic for them as, “they have all worked very hard and deserve this. They trained for years and to be named to the team is a great honor. The town should be very proud!”

The trio is incredibly excited for the games and trip. Valerie Giles is excited for “the plane ride, playing soccer and seeing her friends.” Giles even made bracelets for some of her friends. Valerie’s younger sister, Grace, is excited for swimming as she finds it “fun to do.” Danny, who is also a gifted soccer player, enjoys swimming because he is “fast and good at it!” The three are part of the 44-member group from Maine.

Just as the global Olympic events work, the USA Games take place every four years, with every four years a different city hosting the huge event. Previous host cities have been Ames, Iowa in 2006; Lincoln, Nebraska in 2010; and Lawrenceville, New Jersey in 2014. This year is a milestone year for the organization and for those with intellectual disabilities, as 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics movement.

The selection process to being named to the team is vigorous. Perspective athletes must have met the prerequisite of having medaled in state competitions in their respective sports. Coaches then fill out applications for the selection committee to examine. The athlete must have well-documented training for at least 18 months. To be selected as a coach, you must be certified to coach. The selection committee looks at the number of athletes Maine has been asked to bring in each sport and division then selects athletes accordingly. It is a great honor to be selected and to have four participants from one town is incredible.

To keep up with USA Games news and results, visit https://www.specialolympicsusagames.org/. ESPN will also be covering the Games.