Photo By Lance Cpl. Cory D. Polom | Special Olympian Andy Delafield does push-ups with a group of Headquarters and...... read more read more
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CHERRY POINT, N.C. - The 43-year-old tradition of the Special Olympics continued at Cherry Point when the commissary hosted a Special Olympians event, Jan. 5.
Three of the competitors in attendance have been chosen to join Team USA to compete in the summer games in Athens, Greece.
Andy Delafield, Amanda Bass and Monica Hernandez are three of the Special Olympians who will help team USA take gold in their respective events and the three were present at the Commissary Special Olympics event.
The Olympics as a whole started in Athens more than 140 years ago, and the athletes that compete still astonish the world with their feats today. In 1968, a new form of the Olympics took place at Soldier Field, Ill., and the event was called the First International Special Olympic Games.
“Some people have no idea what these events are all about,” said Phyllis Black, the commissary director for Cherry Point, who has organized Special Olympic events at the Cherry Point Commissary for the last three years. “These competitors work hard to compete and they train just like normal Olympic athletes.”
Delafield has been competing in the Special Olympics for 25 years and at the current age of 31 he is headed to Athens to compete in the 3K, 5K and the 4x400 meter relay.
“Andy loves to compete and is constantly trying to better himself as an athlete and as a person,” said his mother, Marilyn Delafield.
“He doesn’t know how to quit and that is what has gotten him where he is today.”
Delafield’s determination and competitive nature can be taken back to the start of his career with the Special Olympics, but his story took a turn when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
“Andy did not let cancer defeat him,” said Fredrik Delafield, Delafield’s father. “Andy defeated his cancer and not even a month later ran his first 5K and finished. He’s ran in multiple 5Ks, 10Ks, and has even competed in a few half marathons.”
Delafield’s love for the service members of this country is linked with his love for a good run.
Fredrik Delafield remembered one moment when Delafield competed in the Marine Corps Marathon – once he crossed the finish line he dropped and did 20 push-ups.
“The Marines at the Marine Corps marathon gathered around him and did push-ups alongside him,” said Fredrik Delafield. “Since then every time he finishes a run he drops and does 20 push-ups.”
Black explained when Delafield heard about the competition here he personally requested the chance to run with a group of Marines after the competition.
“When I received the e-mail about Andy’s request to run with a group of Marines I thought it was great and was happy to make sure he got his wish,” said Sgt. Maj. Jerry L. Bailey, the sergeant major of MCAS Cherry Point. “I was a little worried that my Marines wouldn’t be able to keep up with this stud of a runner, but the Marines were ready and willing to do their part to help this Olympian train.”
Delafield and more than 20 Marines formed up after the competition for the run and called cadences for the whole two and a half miles.
Once the small group returned from their run, the Marines formed up one more time to give their encouragement to Delafield in their own way, chanting, “Andy’s gonna win! Andy’s gonna win! Andy’s gonna win!”
| Date Taken: | 01.05.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.14.2011 09:38 |
| Story ID: | 63544 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 141 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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