![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_7356-rotated.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nPrior to the competitions, Fieldston volunteers met up with the teams, introduced themselves and helped each athlete get to the correct section of their events. The swim and basketball events occurred simultaneously, with athletes warming up for their swim events in the varsity pool and for basketball in both upper and lower gyms. To stay organized, fieldston student managers were appointed to each team. Their job was to follow the athletes around, make sure they get to each event on time, stay with their teammates and have a good time!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nAfter everyone got settled, the events began. For swimming, each athlete participated in different races throughout the day, which ranged in distance and type. With basketball, the games were held in the varsity and junior varsity gyms and were played in a bracket format. The events (both swimming and basketball) were held in the morning and continued into the afternoon, where at the end of the day each participant had the opportunity to have their photographs taken while being awarded their medals.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nFieldston athletes also took part in many of these events. After individual swimming races were completed, volunteers and special Olympic athletes had the opportunity to jointly compete in unified races. Alden Harting (Form V), who competed,\u00a0 explained that this was a, \u201cgreat chance for special olympians and fieldston athletes to bond.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nVolunteers take great pleasure in participating in the Special Olympics, and although the event is held for athletic competition, it is primarily about the athletes and bringing together a community that supports them throughout the day.\u00a0 Wallis Taft (Form IV), explained, \u201cI think that one thing I took away from this is the really strong sense of community amongst students and athletes” It was very rewarding for the volunteers and the Special Olympics creates a fun space for friendships to be made. Dylan Gorman (Form VI), an organizer of the Fieldston Special Olympics, emphasized the importance of this day for her, saying, \u201cI always love volunteering at the Special Olympics because it allows me to meet many new people. I also get to learn so much from all the athletes that participate when I have conversations with them!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n