WORLAND – The Special Olympics area 1 games are Friday at Meadowlark Ski Area with athletes from Cody, Lander, Riverton, Sheridan, Thermopolis and Washakie County competing.

Washakie County Special Olympics coordinator/director Yvonne Bryant stated that Washakie County will have 10 athletes competing Friday. She added that this year Washakie County athletes will compete in two new competitions, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. Washakie County athletes usually only compete in snowshoe racing and alpine skiing.

Bryant stated in an earlier interview that she is proud of the Washakie County athletes as they always show a competitive spirit and exemplify their oath, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

The area games are a preliminary to the statewide games that will be in Jackson, Feb. 5-7.

According to a press release from Special Olympics Wyoming, “The public is welcome and encouraged to attend to support and cheer on local athletes as they qualify for the upcoming statewide competition.”

According to so.wy.org, “The mission of Special Olympics Wyoming is to provide year round participation in sports training and athletic competition in a variety of well-coached Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities by providing athletes with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness skills, express courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of talents, skills and friendship with their families, friends, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.”