Paulding County Special Olympics has selected Krystal Albright to represent the organization at the 2018 Special Olympics Ohio State Summer Games. Krystal will be competing in cycling, a sport she excels at. Currently she holds the “Cycling State Championship”, Female Division Title. Along with being the top female cyclist she holds the title “Athlete of the Year 2017-2018 Award”. An award she received for being chosen the top athlete, out of an estimated 27,000 athletes. This award is for the athlete whose life exemplifies true skill, courage, sharing and joy. An athlete who has great sportsmanship. One who has a love for their sport.
Krystal Albright, of Paulding, will compete in the 49th Annual Special Olympics Ohio State Summer Games, a year-round training and competition program for children and adults with developmental disabilities. The Games, held June 22-24 at the Ohio State University in Columbus, will feature competition for more than 2,700 top competitors from across the state.
The program will include competition in eleven sports, movie, and recreation clinics. Athletes, coaches, and chaperones will be housed in Ohio State University dormitories and are provided six meals through the University’s Union Services.
Opening Ceremonies will start off the weekend on Friday evening, June 22nd at the Jesse Owens Track and Field Stadium. The symbolic lighting of the Olympic Flame of Hope will officially open the Games and will be followed by a dance and fair provided by hundreds of volunteers. Krystal will be in competition all day Saturday, June 23rd. She will register and have a bicycle inspection at 8:00 a.m., followed by a practice lap to check out the condition of the track. Then the races begin. She will finish up around 4:00 p.m.. It will be a full day of competitions.
Special Olympics offer year-round training and competition in 23 summer and winter Olympics-type sports. The Special Olympics Ohio program is reaching more than 27,000 developmental disabilities athletes. With an event calendar that includes nine state-level championships and more than 150 local and area events in twenty-three Special Olympics sports.
Presently, there are 34 Special Olympics Athletes from Paulding County. Additional volunteers are needed to continue to strengthen the Program, and it is hoped that in 2018, our Special Olympics Program will be better than ever before.
