RALEIGH — Members of the Beaufort-Hyde Special Olympics team recently got the chance to flex their muscles and compete at the 2016 Summer Games in
Raleigh.

The North Carolina Special Olympics 2016 Summer Games was held at N.C. State University in June, and 15 athletes represented Beaufort and Hyde counties in grand style. Out of those 15 athletes, seven competed in singles bowling, four competed in track and field events and four competed in swimming and aquatics, according to Eric Sedlacek, local coordinator for Special Olympics.

Sedlacek said the organization tried to take athletes who had never had the chance to attend the Summer Games. All athletes placed in each of their events and had a great time not only competing, but also being able to see friends from across the state.

“My athletes work so hard throughout the year,” Sedlacek said. “It’s not only about competing, but also going up there and having a good time with other athletes and friends. Some have friends they don’t normally get to see. It’s an opportunity for them to get out of Beaufort County and go to Raleigh and compete, and a lot of them socialize during the trip. It provides them with something outside of their normal routine and schedules. They get to go out and get away for a few days and really have a good time. That’s what it’s really about at the end of the day — having a good time.”

Local athletes, and those attending from other counties, were also able to enjoy events in Olympic Town, an area designated for athletes to participate in fun and games, as well as other activities.

Sedlacek said this year at the Summer Games, seven Healthy Athletes disciplines provided free health screenings for athletes. For examples, Opening Eyes, one of the stations, offered free eye screenings and new eyeglasses onsite, which ended up benefitting one of the 15 local athletes, according to Sedlacek. As part of the Special Olympics strategic plan, the screenings were part of an effort to address research that has shown that people with intellectual disabilities are consistently left out of specific health systems, according to the N.C. Special Olympics website.

“I’m really proud of my athletes,” Sedlacek said. “They did such a great job, and it’s really rewarding to see all the medals and ribbons they got. Each one of them worked so hard and to see everyone do so well, it’s just awesome. It’s just awesome to work with them and see how hard they push themselves, and then how they are on the podium and get their award. It’s just awesome.”

The athletes from Beaufort and Hyde counties now look to the near future as they train for the Fall Games in early November. Bowling, one of the main sports for local athletes, was moved to the Summer Games from the Fall Games, but Sedlacek is preparing the athletes for a new event being added to the Games — Bocce ball.

The local organization is also helping in the fight to keep the Hildred T. Moore Aquatics and Fitness Center open, as it is the venue in which its athletes train. On July 23, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the organization will host a car wash to benefit the pool at Verizon Wireless parking lot in Washington.