Special Olympics heads to Mesa

Athletes, volunteers, and representatives of the Special Olympics of Arizona will hold their annual summer games at Mesa Community College April 30 to May 2.

"There are lots going on this year," Gail Gilmartin who is the vice president of Corporate Fulfillment and Volunteerism said.

A variety of events will be going on this year including track and field, gymnastics, power lifting, tennis and a kayaking event at Tempe Town Lake. Athletes' such as Roxanne Johnson, 29, have been training for the kayaking event that will take place.

Johnson has competed in the games since she was eight years old. She plays a variety of sports ranging from volleyball to track and field, as well as figure skating during the wintertime. She also has competed in the world games in 1995, 1999 and 2003, playing sports such as soccer. Also in 1995, she was the youngest player to compete on the volleyball team.

"I was disabled since I was a little girl," Johnson said. "I have been to three world games and one nationals."

Johnson also has participated in helping decorate the cauldron that will be used to light the torch in the opening ceremonies. She said that she has won a lot of awards but has lost count.

More than 1,200 athletes are expected to participate as well as 1,000 volunteers will be helping throughout the competition.

"All my life I've been volunteering," Arlen Sykes said, a 13-year volunteer for the Special Olympics Of Arizona.

A retired veteran of the U.S. Navy, Sykes is currently a fifth-grade instructor at Kyrene De La Colina Elementary in Phoenix. In the past, he has volunteered for the USO, United Way, The American Red Cross and the Boys and Girls Club.

He's also an Alumni Board of Directors member for Mesa Community College. He was instrumental in moving the summer games to the community college because the original location at Arizona State University was too expensive for the Special Olympics.

"I enjoy giving back to the community," said Sykes.

The Special Olympics of Arizona has sponsors from companies ranging from Western Refining to UPS Inc. The sponsorship money is then used to put on the events that are held each year.