April 20th, 2023 – 2:45 PM

Ethan Garrett – WRGA Digital News Editor & Video Reporter –

The Floyd County Special Olympics kicked off at Darlington School at Jerry Sharp Field in the Chris Hunter Stadium on Thursday morning.

The 2023 Special Olympic Games started with a parade of athletes that drew a large crowd to cheer on the Olympic participants.   

The Special Olympics was founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team sports.

The goal of Special Olympics is to help bring all persons with intellectual disabilities into the larger society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected, and given a chance to become productive citizens.

The last Floyd County Special Olympic Games took place over four years ago back in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.