The Decatur County Special Olympics will be held Thursday at the new Bainbridge High School track.

The day’s activities will begin with an 8:45 a.m. torch run by members of the Fraternal Order of Law Enforcement made up of members of the Decatur County Sheriffs Department and the Bainbridge Public Safety Department.

Opening ceremonies will continue with the parade of athletes and the reciting of the Special Olympics pledge of “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”.

Decatur County Special Olympics is affiliated with Georgia Special Olympics, National Special Olympics and International Special Olympics.

Competitions the athletes will be taking part in include the 50-yard walk and 50-yard dash.

There will also be a 100-yard walk and dash, a softball throw, a standing long jump and a wheel chair race.

Ribbons will be awarded to first, second and third place finishes. The winners will stand on an olympic style platform with their ribbons.

Jimmie Hill, director of special education for county schools, said Thursday’s Special Olympics competition will be the first of three special olympics events being planned by the Decatur County Special Olympics Leadership team, which is chaired by the Rev. Paul Medley, pastor of Bainbridge First Baptist Church.

“We plan to have a Special Olympics bowling event in the fall and another track and field competition next spring,” Hill said.

“We invite the public to come out and watch the ceremonies and competition on Thursday. I know they will enjoy it. We will have food items for sale.”

“Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA CEO Ken Bailey has been training the athletes and they are excited about competing. We will have volunteers from the Decatur County School System assisting with the day’s activities.”