Photo By Airman 1st Class Arnet Tamayo | A Kadena Special Olympics athlete and volunteer participate in the basketball skills...... read more read more
Subscribe
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – Athletes, families, U.S. service and local community members reunite in the spirit of competition during the Kadena Special Olympics at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 16, 2024.
The Kadena Special Olympics is a one-day sporting and entertainment event that brings competition and recognition to Okinawan and American athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities. These athletes compete in a variety of track-and-field, basketball and soccer events.
“The Special Olympics have always been a major staple in uniting friends and family to support these athletes in a judgment-free environment,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Cara Leaf, 18th Force Support Squadron sustainment flight commander and KSO project officer. “For Team Kadena, the added joy comes from not only cheering the athletes on, but also from uniting communities together.”
Since its inception in 1968, the Special Olympics has been the world’s largest sports organization for people with disabilities.
Kadena hosted its first Special Olympics event in 2000, suffering a six-year hiatus from 2017 to 2022 due to rising costs and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the Olympics returned to Kadena with an attendance of 70 athletes. This year, 77 athletes competed across the events.
“405 Department of Defense personnel and Japan Air Self-Defense Force volunteers also dedicated their time to set up event stations, escort the athletes, and even act as translators and ‘buddies’ for the athletes,” said Leaf. “Each ‘buddy’ acts as an escort and personal cheerleader for their respected athlete.”
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Brandon Wolfgang, 18th Wing command chief, expressed that the event breaks down barriers and creates an environment of understanding and acceptance.
“This is one of our favorite events throughout the year, because it's a great opportunity to highlight the great relationship that we have here between the military academia and the local community,” Wolfgang said.
This year’s Olympics also saw the attendance of various Okinawan government officials, including Vice Governor of Okinawa Prefecture Yoshimi Teruya.
He expressed his admiration at the event as an important display of strong community relations between U.S. military personnel and the local community.
“(This event) gives bright hope and deep inspiration to family members, event supporters and the people of Okinawa ,” said Teruya.
In the spirit of every KSO before it, each athlete performed their respected sport with pronounced passion and effort. For Capt. Leaf and the KSO planning committee, the well deserved satisfaction displayed on the smiles of each athlete reminds them of the reason why KSO is so important.
“It’s such a blessing to be involved in something so impactful,” said Leaf. “The energy spent planning an event this significant is immediately justified when you witness the devotion these athletes give to their performances.
“Next year couldn’t come sooner!”
| Date Taken: | 11.16.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.19.2024 19:59 |
| Story ID: | 485626 |
| Location: | KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Kadena Special Olympics goes strong for 2024, by SSgt Gary Hilton, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
