LIHUE — Kauai Special Olympics athlete Archie Lanning said he is ready Tuesday afternoon at the Moikeha Building.
“I’m not,” said Special Olympics coach Tamarine Carvalho. “We just got back from the Games on Oahu, and I’m still recovering from that.”
The group was honored by Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., who marked the event as Special Olympics USA Day on Kauai, combining with the honor presented by the Kauai County Council during its Wednesday meeting. Lanning is joined by Katelin Heller, Kobe Iglesia and Divine Navalta in being among the 20 athletes and two Unified Champion School students from Hawaii, known as Hui o Hawaii, who will represent the state during the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games taking place July 1 through 6 in Seattle, Washington.
“These kids have been working hard since being announced in September 2017,” said Leona Sa McDermott, who will be joining Carvalho as the two coaches accompanying the athletes from Kauai. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we are truly honored and blessed to be a part of the Special Olympics USA Games.”
The Hawaii contingent will join more than 4,000 Special Olympics athletes and coaches from across the country to compete in soccer, track and field and basketball, sharing the mission of Special Olympics by highlighting the abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities while promoting acceptance and inclusion through sports.
“Special Olympics Hawaii is excited to send one of our largest contingencies of island athletes to represent our state at the USA Games,” said Nancy Bottelo, Special Olympics Hawaii president and CEO. “These athletes and coaches work so hard throughout the year, and it is thrilling to see their commitment pay off.”
Hawaii’s selections were based from among 3,400 participants throughout the state.
Athletes will be competing in 14 Olympic-type team and individual sports before tens of thousands of spectators, volunteers and national television.
“There will be TV coverage from the opening ceremonies,” Sa McDermott said. “It will come live from the Husky Stadium in Seattle starting at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN2 and the ABC Network. As the date draws closer, check with the local listings for more details.”
The cost of sending one individual to the USA Games is estimated at more than $1,900. Special Olympics Hawaii is accepting tax deductible donations to help defray the expenses at its website at www.sohawaii.org. The organization has also launched a campaign asking supporters to donate HawaiianMiles to Special Olympics Hawaii to help reduce the cost of transportation.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
