2018 Special Olympics Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA

For 30 years the Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA has put on their Special Olympics event. Today, over 50 athletes from our state competed in a variety of water sports.

Medals were up for grabs in Ocean Springs as 55 athletes from Jackson, George, and Green County hit the water for the Area 12 Special Olympics aquatics heat. YMCA Area Director Terry Higginbotham said, “We have unassisted and assisted events, twenty five meter free styles, fifty meter free styles, and backstroke.”

This event had a variety of water sports, allowing some athletes to qualify for state and national competitions. “We have an athlete here today that has participated in swimming for many years. He has advanced to the USA Games in Seattle, Washington.”

Ocean Springs competitor Olivia Massengale enjoys splashing her way to victory and she loves to see others having a great time. “It gives people a chance to go out there and have fun and just be a good sport.”

The Special Olympics has given the athletes a platform for thirty years to showcase their talents, inspiring others to overcome any obstacle in their way. Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA Executive Director Rob Kirkland said, “We have been doing this for a long time. You can look at their faces as they are participating. They live for this day year round. It touches our heart and it’s a big part of what we do.”