Every four years, the Special Olympics USA Games awaits competitors throughout the nation, including the District of Colombia.
This year, 18 people represented team Alabama from Lee County, and they came for the gold.
Beginning June 14, the competitors arrived at Newark and Philadelphia airports and traveled to the campuses of Rider University and The College of New Jersey where they resided for the entire week.
"Leading up to going to the games there were a lot of nerves," said Alison Hall, community and special programs director for Parks and Recreation. "A lot of the kids had never been out of state or flown on an airplane before, but they did a great job."
The 2014 Special Olympics USA Games is the largest national games undertaking in the United States and included 16 different sports competitions.
Opening ceremonies were held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and was hosted by actress and model Brooklyn Decker and Philadelphia 76ers Point Guard Michael Carter Williams.
The opening ceremony included the Parade of Athletes, athlete oaths and the lighting of the Special Olympics cauldron.
One of the goals of bringing the 2014 USA Games to New Jersey was to expand the overall reach of the Special Olympics message to a wider and more diverse audience.
Founding partner WWE also helped promote the Special Olympics 2014 USA Games through its global platforms, including TV broadcasts, live events, digital and social media.
"Most people are familiar with the Olympics and it's a similar atmosphere," Hall said. "We have an opening ceremony where the delegations march in, dressed by state. They compete at world class venues, and have the medal finals."
To be qualified for competing at the USA Games, athletes must succeed at a local level, state level and regional level.
Athletes can be recognized by qualifying for the local level and participating in physical education programs at their school. Parks and Recreation also has a program for special needs adults to compete and train in all of the Olympics sports.
Over the course of the week, 184 delegates from Alabama competed in basketball, track, bowling and swimming divisions.
Bowling won a silver medal, track and field won two gold medals and two silver medals, basketball won a bronze medal and swimming won a silver medal and a bronze medal.
According to Hall, the competitors were mature, handled the early mornings and late nights, but especially all the competition with grace.
Twin competitors Britani and Brooke Owens, 24, of Beauregard competed in the basketball division at the games.
"Britani went in the games with an injured foot, but by the last game, Britani and Brooke played a whole game," said Bill Cutright, grandfather of Britani and Brooke. "They put forward all the effort they could give."
Britani and Brooke shared a birthday on the last day of the games.
"We celebrated by winning," Britani and Brooke said.
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