Misawa hosts 23rd annual Special Olympics

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stefanie Torres
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The official start of any Olympic games begins with the torch relay. Why would the Special Olympics here be any different? 

Three buses of athletes arrived for the 23rd annual Misawa Air Base Special Olympics at Hangar 949, followed by the running of the torch marking the beginning of a day filled with sports and entertainment. 

More than 60 athletes from three different schools in the local community arrived to more than 300 volunteers helping out for the event. 

"This event is all about the athletes," said Tech. Sgt. Tavio Soto, president of the MABSO committee. "Putting together this event is a very humbling experience. We are showing the athletes they are an important part of the community, and I think the committee members were really focused on giving the athletes a special day, and the athletes loved it." 

The sporting events included a basketball toss, bean bag toss, and a Frisbee toss. In addition, the athletes also played soccer, golf, football, and t-ball. 

The athletes also had a chance to break from sporting events for a little bit of entertainment. A disc jockey provided music for the dance floor, while others could get their face painted, explained Tech. Sgt. Jacqueline Hudson, MABSO committee secretary. 

"We wanted to have something to do to keep the athletes entertained the whole time," she said. 

Many volunteers came away from the event with memories they will hold onto, Sergeant Hudson. 

"Being able to participate is huge to me," she said. "It's something we are not raising money for. This is something that actually just goes out to the community that solidifies our bilateral relations here." 

Not only do events like the Olympic games foster positive relationships throughout the community, having special guest visits also inspire larger events in the future to help build ties in the community. 

"We had 16 representatives from the Aomori prefecture Special Olympics organization come out to see what we do," said Sergeant Soto. "By working with each other, we can better serve the athletes. They are looking at helping us expand our program to where we increase the amount of participation, the amount of athletes and possibly change our routine a little as far as adding some more athletic games." 

The volunteer duties varied from escorting the athletes, cleaning up and tearing down of equipment and translating. 

For many, this event marked the first time. 

Ms. Noriko Akahira, 35th Force Support Squadron education technician, volunteered as a translator for the first time at the Olympics. 

"I didn't even know this was a base wide event when I signed up for it," she said. "But I see how great it is to be a part of it and watching people coming together and trying to make a change." 

Although this was a first for many, some volunteers have continued to participate. Master Sgt. Clarence Glascock, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron production superintendent, volunteered as an escort but has worked this type of event before. 

"I worked with challenged children before I joined the military, so it's been a while since I have done this," he said. "I enjoy this because it shows our presence in the community, and it's a way to give something back." 

The event officially ended with closing remarks and a medal presentation for all of the athletes.