Special Olympic athletes from all over Hamilton County are getting ready to travel to the state summer games Thursday through Saturday at Iowa State University in Ames. Athletes involved in soccer, tennis, aquatics and athletics will compete in events, according to the Special Olympics Iowa website.

Before they board the buses for Ames, Hamilton County athletes will be honored and celebrated Thursday morning. Members of law enforcement from all over the county will take part in the torch run, carrying the Special Olympics Torch to the Webster City Middle School where athletes will gather. Not only do the officers and support team run the torch, they also sell t-shirts to raise funds for the Special Olympics. And Hamilton County Law Enforcement is consistently among the top fundraising.

Teams of athletes from Webster City elementary schools, middle school, high school and from other districts, along with members of Friends Forever Social Education Center will parade into the gym for the ceremony to the throngs and cheering of their classmates and friends in the bleachers.

After each team is recognized, the group moves outside to parade through downtown Webster City. Students from the elementary schools, middle school along with community members line the streets to wave and applaud the athletes. We encourage local residents to turnout Thursday morning about 10:30 to show support for these dedicated Hamilton County athletes.

The Daily Freeman-Journal salutes these spirited athletes who truly live and embody the motto of Special Olympics – “”Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”