Special Olympics in the Murfreesboro area has grown considerably and Olympians are training in a variety of sports to prepare for an upcoming event that will involve athletes from across the state. Assistant Murfreesboro Parks and Rec. Director Thomas Laird told WGNS… The Special Olympics event will be at MTSU on April 15th.

Track and Field is one of the larger categories for Olympians. Through the track-and-field-based training program, participants work on their overall fitness to compete in a variety of sports. Approximately 600 athletes in Rutherford County participated in last year’s track and field competitions... Athletes that participate in the Special Olympics have intellectual and physical disabilities.

Larid told us that a large number of teenagers throughout the Rutherford County School system play an active role in partnering with athletes in the Special Olympics. What’s more heartwarming is that 79% of unified teammates without disabilities reported increased understanding of people with intellectual disabilities, after participating in the Special Olympics.

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