Let the games begin

After touring about 70 communities in Nebraska, the Special Olympics torch finally arrived in Lincoln on Friday, July 16, to the cheers of the crowd and chants of "We are proud of you" from the young cheerleaders of Cheer and Dance Express. Despite the severe heat, the nine present Special Olympics athletes, along with the 47 Law Enforcement Officer runners, escorts and spectators, were all smiles as Lincoln welcomed the torch which started the USA National Games 2010 Special Olympics by lighting the cauldron Sunday at the opening ceremony.
The torch, called the Flame of Hope, features many Nebraska symbols, from corn to covered wagons, from Native Americans to, of course, a football. The torch was in part designed by LPD investigator Aaron Moore, who suggested the idea for different Nebraska features on the torch to the trophy company who crafted it.
Sunday's ceremonies were emceed by Brooklyn Decker, a model and actress who is married to tennis player Andy Roddick, and Eddie Barbanell, a Special Olympics athlete and actor from "The Ringer." Performances included "the voice" Sandi Patty singing the "Star Spangled Banner," Jars of Clay, and "American Idol" contestant Michael Sarver. Sarver, who finished 10th in 2009 on "Idol," performed a song written especially for the Special Olympics as a tribute to founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
Teams filled the Bob Devaney by state, and the different colors and decorations of each team, from Maryland's crab hats to Nebraska's 286 athletes wearing red and white shirts, reflected the diversity of personalities and experiences the sport events bring together.
The celebration opened the five-day competition of the 13 Olympic-style events, including Nebraska's exhibition sport, flag football - an exhibition sport is a privilege of winning the bid in 2006 to become the host location for the games and Nebraska is allowed to introduce a sport not currently practiced at the games in hopes of then launching the sport into all 50 state programs.
The event brings much attention to the capital city as about 1,000 coaches and official delegates, an estimated 15,000 athletes' family members and friends come into the city, along with the 8,000 volunteers staffing the games.
But all the attention is focused on the 3,000 athletes from 49 states who will compete in the games.
"That's what this is all about," Gov. Dave Heinemann said at the opening ceremonies after congratualting the athletes on the outstanding achievementas that qualified them for the games. "Each of you have demonstrated fierce determination."
As the athletes recited the Special Olympics Athlete Oath, their voices echoed throughout the Bob Devaney Center on Sunday, saying in unison, "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."
Competitions will be taking place all over Lincoln throughout July 18-23, from the aquatics events at Bob Devaney to golf at Mahoney Golf Course, 7900 Adams St., and Highlands Golf Course, 5501 NW 12th St, to basketball at Lincoln East and Lincoln Southwest high schools.
The whole city of Lincoln and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus are coming alive all week to accommodate the special events and festivities for the games. Athletes will be staying on campus in the dorms, Pershing Auditorium will hold the Special Olympics Town, featuring the Sports Experience, Fan Fest and Healthy Athletes, and the International Quilt Study Center and Museum on East Campus will feature five unique quilts created for the games by Lincoln Quilters Guild members. An informal discussion of those quilts will take place at the IQSC on Tuesday at noon.
The sky even saw more action due to the incoming participants for the games through the special Cessna Citation Special Olympics Airlift program, which dropped off athletes and coaches on Saturday with planes arriving approximately every two minutes. The program featured pilots, such as actor Harrison Ford, who donate their private planes and their time as pilots to transport athletes from all over the country.
Throughout the week, educational seminars will be offered to athletes and their families, such as Sunday's tennis clinic featuring Omaha native Andy Roddick.
The events are also a perfect forum for additional programming that will aim to increase public knowledge and understanding of the capabilities of people with intellectual disabilities.
"(Here are) some of the most motivated athletes in the world," motivational speaker Jim Cathcart said at the opening ceremony Sunday. "Individuals who have made the commitment to do more than other people thought they could."
shannonsmith@dailynebraskan.com