Team Tahoe brings home the GOLD!!!

Today I witnessed selflessness in it’s purest form. Here is an athlete cheering on another whose abilities are more physically challenged than his own. He recognizes the effort it takes for his friend to accomplish the task before him. Ryan Willfords, who is in the wheelchair, is a long time friend of Michael Cotter his faithful encourager.

Invisible to most of the citizens of our city are a group of athletes who work harder and longer to accomplish their goals than most other competitors participating in seasonal sports. I am talking about the Special Olympians of South Lake Tahoe. This past Saturday, May 18, they traveled to Reno, very early in the morning, for the Regional track competition for the Northern Nevada Summer Games 2019.

Team Tahoe Track team, made up of just 5 members brought home 9 Gold medals and many silver and bronze for their great efforts. They will go on to compete in the Northern Nevada State games on May 31 & June 1.

Team Tahoe Swim team made up of 9 members brought home a whopping 22 Gold medals in various aquatic competitions. In addition, they also yielded several silver and bronze medals. They too will go on to compete in the State Games on May 31 & June 1.

Our community is made up of a variety of sports enthusiasts, and yet little attention is given to our residents with great challenges, who work harder to achieve their sports goals. Special Olympics athletes exert greater effort to overcome personal barriers and push through more limitations to achieve their sports goals than their typical peers. They also exhibit high levels of team spirit in a competitive environment.

We encourage involvement in their achievements in the form of volunteerism, coaching, and financial support. In a small community, it is more difficult to recruit support for this type of healthy sports involvement. Special Olympics promotes independence, self-awareness, team effort, confidence and pride in one’s achievements.

Get involved and you’ll reap the reward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If interested or just curious about Special Olympics in South Lake Tahoe please contact the local director, Bonnie Fiegel at 530-577-4211

Our State Games Competition Summer Games Is May 31 & June 1. We need you all year long!!!!

Special Olympics Track team includes Evan Libby, Michael Cotter, Ryan Willfords, Andrew Young, and Jesse Fiegel

Special Olympics Swim Team includes. Justiss Roque, Tony Triano, Lyndsey Torres, Eddi Apodaca, Jaquie Gilpen, Lydia Alford, Nicholas Fiegel, Carla Macleod, and Chuck Depasquale.