Hundreds of GECDSB students compete in Special Olympics

Nearly 600 elementary students from the Greater Essex County District School Boardcompeted in this year's Special Olympics.

The annualevent was held at Sandwich Secondary School with events like the 100-metre race, ball throw and standing long jump.

"I got so excited, like I wanted to go so I could get a first place and my dad could get proud," said Andrew Nguyen.

Mohamed Ayoubcompetes every year and said the event is "lots of fun."

"It just gets better and more fun every time I try."

A competitive bit of fun

That's exactly the atmosphere organizers are trying to create.

"The staff and the students are having equally as much fun as everybody else out here," said ToddAwender, chair of the Special Olympicscommittee.

"The smiles on their faces are great to see."

These students had a blast at the Special Olympics

6 years ago

Duration 1:12

Hundreds of students competed at the Greater Essex County District School Board's Special Olympics Thursday

Stephen Silvaggio said it's a great event to get kids together to build relationships.

"It allows them to be celebrated when maybe they're not always,"said StephenSilvaggiowho sits on the Special Olympics Committee.

"It allows them to compete and come out and have a fun day."

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"To some people it's about the competition but to me it's all about the fun of making friends," said Memphis Miller.

RonyVo said the event has a balance of both.

"It's all about fun because you can play with your friends and exercise your body," said Vo.