The Logan County Braves Special Olympics team hosted a special send-off competition Thursday evening at the Bellefontaine High School track, bringing together athletes, family members, friends, volunteers, and supporters for one final event before the start of the 2026 Special Olympics Ohio Summer Games.
The event featured Braves athletes competing in a fun and encouraging atmosphere designed to celebrate the hard work put in throughout the season. Athletes participated in a wide variety of track and field events, including shot put, mini-javelin throw, softball throw, the 50-meter walk, 100-meter walk, 400-meter walk, 100-meter dash, and 200-meter dash.
Volunteers helped run the competition by serving as timers, event judges, flaggers, and assistants throughout the evening, while families and community members packed the area around the track to cheer on competitors. The meet served as both a final tune-up and celebration before athletes head to the state stage.
Rose Canter, the Recreational Assistant at the Logan County Board of DD, talks about the event and previews the upcoming summer games, thanking family and friends for all of their support.
The Logan County Braves program will send 21 athletes to the 2026 Special Olympics Ohio Summer Games, including 13 bowlers and 8 track-and-field athletes. The statewide event will take place May 29-31 and is expected to bring together more than 3,000 athletes, coaches, volunteers, and supporters from across Ohio.
The Summer Games are one of the largest Special Olympics events in the state and provide athletes the opportunity to compete, build friendships, and showcase months of dedication and training. Thursday’s send-off competition gave local athletes one more chance to compete in front of their hometown supporters before traveling to represent Logan County on the statewide stage.
