Special Olympics Summer Games held this week in Biloxi

More than 500 Special Olympians competed in this year’s summer games in Biloxi.

The law enforcement torch run concluded the Opening Ceremony Friday night and the games began at 9 a.m. Saturday.

This is the first time these athletes have come together since the start of the COVID pandemic.

Contests will continue through the week before coming to a close with a victory dance at 8 p.m. next Saturday. Special Olympics Mississippi CEO Monica Daniels said, “It’s just an incredible event, and Keesler has been doing this over 30 years. Long before our tagline was ‘the revolution is inclusion,’ this Air Force base has been practicing inclusivity and embracing our athletes and their families and giving them a high-quality sports experience.”

Some of the athletes will go on to Special Olympics USA in Orlando, Florida later this summer.