The third annual Decatur County Special Olympics Track and Field Games, featuring more than 60 participants, were held Thursday at the Bainbridge High School Track.

Participants earned medals and ribbons in the bean bag throw, the 50-yard dash, the 100-yard dash, the long jump, the Frisbee throw and the softball throw.

Businesswoman Pat Harrell, a member of the local Special Olympics’ board, called the event a great success.

“The participants all had a great time and performed well and our volunteers did an outstanding job.” Harrell said. “We had 75 volunteers and most of them were Bainbridge High School students. They made sure the Special Olympians had a positive experience. There were a lot of happy smiles on their faces.”

Decatur County School Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield ran the Special Olympics torch around the Bainbridge High School Track to officially open the games.

The teams arrived from Bainbridge First Baptist Church by bus and were cheered by volunteers and fans as they walked in to begin competition.

The athletes walked around the track as the cheers continued.

Right before the competition began, they all recited the Special Olympics motto of “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”