Special Olympics hits major milestone in Wellington County [Video]

Special Olympics celebrated its 20th anniversary in Wellington County with its annual Track and Field Day at St. James Catholic High School on Wednesday.

More than 800 athletes from over 70 schools in the Wellington Catholic District School Board and Upper Grand District School Board took part.

Students competed in the following events:

• 50m, 100m, and 200m Dash
• 40m Walk or Run
• Softball Throw
• Standing Long Jump
• Running Long Jump
• Obstacle Course
• Basketball Shooting
• T-Ball
• Pop Bottle Bowling

Nicole Hearn, a special education resource with Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School, said the event helps promote inclusion for those living with disabilities through the power of sport.

“They are being celebrated and it gives them a sense of community that they can hold on to,” Hearn told CTV News.” These kids are giving it their all and it’s beautiful to see.”

Sonja Holmes was a member of the original committee tasked with bringing the Special Olympics to Wellington County in the early 2000s. Holmes …