Athletes from across Michigan gathered in Mount Pleasant today to compete in the state's summer Special Olympics games.
The summer games are a culmination of hard work competitors have put in over the course of several months. Some athletes will go on to qualify for the national and international championships.
Athletes competed in a number of events on the campus of Central Michigan University. From track and field, to swimming, volleyball and power lifting.
Tom Ottinger is from southern Michigan. He says he’s been competing in the Special Olympics since he was seven years old after his parents signed him up.
And for 41 straight years, he's made the trip to Mount Pleasant for the summer games.
He says competing in the Special Olympics has led to some cool opportunities. Like meeting professional wrestlers John Cena and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
"I’ve seen parents cry when their sons and daughter have gotten medals and ribbons just because it means so much to the athletes," said Louis Whitlock of southeast Michigan. He's been coaching in the Special Olympics ever since his son joined 20 years ago.
He said it means so much more to give back to athletes who often feel like outcasts and aren’t always accepted by society at large.
"The athletes don’t care if they win or lose. They just want to compete and they want to be with their friends, their buddies," Whitlock told WCMU.
The summer games conclude on Friday.
