The Bridge Spring 2017 The Bridge Spring 2017 | Page 6

Brave Tiger Olympians
Winning ribbons was only a partial reason for smiles
As eighth grader Hunter Frechette and his friends
walked down the halls of Biddeford Middle
School with “Eye of the Tiger” playing overhead,
they felt like champions before the games had
even begun. They were about to join their fellow
students from across the District to participate in
Special Olympics Maine. This year’s main event
took place in the blue waters of the University of
New England’s Campus Center aquatic facility.
To the throngs of cheering parents, family, edu-
cators and athletes it was clear to all that these
children were excited to be sharing this moment
with their peers -- not because they wanted to
compete but simply to have fun. “Let me win,
but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt.
We are proud of you no matter what you achieve,
as long as you tried your best,” the announcer
proclaimed during opening ceremonies.
“Bravery in attempt” was on full display for the
duration of the day’s activities.
Special
Tigers
Photos courtesy of Tammy Belanger
During the heats, observers witnessed as many
smiles as high-fives between student athletes,
teachers and families. One-by-one students
carefully slithered into the pool and anxiously
awaited the sound of the starting gun. Splash-
ing and smiling, athletes of all ages and abilities
made their way down the lanes as the crowd
cheered. Their pride was in their own effort, and
that of their peers. Ribbons and lap times were
secondary considerations; everything took a
backseat to cheering on friends.
“Special Olympics are one of the few times
where one feels, and gets swept up in, the unity
and genuine pride and joy,” said Diane Frechette,
Hunter’s Mom. “Today, they were special - but
in a different way. They were the athletes that
were going to bring home the ‘Tiger Pride’ for
Biddeford Schools. As a parent, we don’t often
get to sit on the sidelines of events and cheer
our kiddos on. But when we do, look out! There
was slight, healthy competitiveness, yet athletes
cheered each other on, parents and coaches
cheered on children that weren’t theirs, and ob-
servers beamed with smiles. My heart exploded
with pride for all of them.”
“I like to swim super fast with
my friends,” said Hunter.
“It makes me proud.”
Special Olympics Maine’s mission is to provide
year-round sports training and athletic com-
petition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for
children and adults with intellectual disabilities,
offering extended opportunities to develop phys-
ical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience
joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and
friendship with their families and the community
at-large.
Diane adds, “The event is run by the most gen-
uine people who are there because they want to
be. They were compassionate, understanding
and patient, had endless encouragement and
not once stopped clapping and cheering on the
athletes.”
That evening, Diane went into Hunter’s room to
see him arranging all his trophies, awards and
ribbons that he’s ever won. With the biggest
smile he said, “Look Mom, I did it!” As her eyes
welled up with happy tears, Diane replied, “Yes
you did Hunter, you certainly did.”