Special Olympic swimmers inspire

LAKEVILLE — Every athlete, and certainly every Olympic athlete, has a story to tell, of dedication, love of their sport and the process of moving up through the ranks, seeking success and avoiding elimination. Perhaps this is true to an even greater degree for the Special Olympians, a group of athletes who must overcome the challenges of their own disabilities as well as the challenges that mainstream athletes face. True models for professionals and amateurs alike, these Olympians take as much pride in their teammates’ successes as their own. Perhaps most moving of all, they celebrate a fifth-place ribbon with the same irrepressible delight as a first-place award.Each year, Special Olympians in swimming participate in Aquatics Invitationals, which are regional events that offer the athletes an opportunity to practice in a competitive setting before the Regional Games and the State Games begin in the coming months. On Sunday, April 17, an invitational was held at The Hotchkiss School pool with swimmers from Litchfield County (the Northwest Swim Team), Enfield, Conn., and Long Island and the Hudson Valley.Some of the participants have their sights set on the World Games, which will be held in Greece this summer. This is the second year Hotchkiss has played host, though Event Director Keith Moon (a Hotchkiss faculty member) said, “I expect it will continue.” More than 100 swimmers between the ages of 14 and 48 competed in 16 events including the standard swim events as well as the 15-meter walk, the 15 unassisted and the 15 flotation. Moon was assisted throughout the morning of the event by student volunteers from Hotchkiss, Salisbury Central School, Indian Mountain School, Kent School and Rumsey Hall (in Washington Depot, Conn.).The volunteers recorded times, presented ribbons to winners and engaged in conversation with many of the Special Olympians. Rob Gerowe, the Special Olympics Northwest Regional Director, said he was delighted by the positive support and vigorous cheering the students offered. “I’ve lived in Kent for 23 years,”he said, adding that, “It’s great to see the private schools, who are usually competing against one another, come together to help out today.” Scott Grupe of Northwest Swim Team, raced to a first-place finish in the 25 Back, then declared afterward, to gales of laughter, “Now I can retire with that!”Others said they have plans for a longer future for themselves in the pool. Jamie Louchen, a first-place winner in both 100 individual medley and 100 breast, said, “It felt great to win today. Michael Phelps is my idol, and my goal is to compete in the World Games this summer. I will be the next Michael Phelps.” Louchen’s teammate, Wendy Thitchener, endorsed his prediction, then added, “I love all my teammates. They are my brothers and sisters.”Pat Margolfo, a mother of a Special Olympian and a devoted coach, echoed Thitchener’s words. “It’s really cool to see the interactions they have with each other. It’s a great social network for them,” she explained, “It really is a family.” As the competitions came to a close, and the last ribbons were handed out, there was a real sense of accomplishment among the swimmers. All the Olympians proudly wore their ribbons while offering a chorus of congratulations to their teammates. Also smiling was Moon, who, while calling the final round of winners to the podium, remarked, “I love this day. They’re clearly having such a great time; we’ve got this beautiful pool and it’s great to share it.” On a day to celebrate the resilience and triumphs of those who suffer intellectual handicaps, these Special Olympians came through swimmingly.