SUGARLOAF — More than 800 athletes, coaches and spectators arrived at the Special Olympic Winter Games at Sugarloaf recently.
Special Olympics Team Eagles Outreach of Brunswick took in plenty of gold — Robert Knox was at his best taking first in 200- and 400-meter snowshoe events. Later he was followed by teammates Brandon Wear winning the 333, 500 and 777 in speed skating, and Billy Bennett in cross country skiing.
Maine was home to the first-ever Special Olympics Winter Games back in 1969 in Gorham with only a small number of participants. This year’s event included over 450 athletes on 64 different teams.
Although the games officially began with the lighting of the torch, athletes and coaches have been training all year in the categories of Nordic and Alpine skiing, snowshoe races, speed skating and dual skiing.
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