‘Amazing’ athletes to compete as Special Olympics South Carolina hosts Fall Games on the Grand Strand

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — The talents of some “amazing” athletes will be highlighted Friday and Saturday as Special Olympics South Carolina hosts its 2024 Fall Games on the Grand Strand.

It’s the third year the games have been held in Myrtle Beach since the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of the participants from across the state have been training for up to a year. Nearly 1,000 athletes and their partners will compete in seven sports at Coastal Carolina University and the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

Participants will be going for gold in bocce, bowling, disc golf, golf, flag football, soccer and volleyball. They will also be celebrating all their hard work together.

Many Unified partners are in Special Olympics South Carolina’s Unified Champions Schools Programs, from elementary school to college. They do not have intellectual disabilities, but they train with the athletes and form strong friendships with them.

Law enforcement officers will bring in the Flame of Hope as opening ceremonies and a torch run take place on Friday. Competitions will happen all day Saturday, with a carnival-like Olympic Town and the Healthy Athletes Program. Through this program, clinical directors can give free health screenings and referrals to athletes.

Closing ceremonies and a victory dance will take place on Saturday.

Predicted rain has moved some of this weekend’s events inside, but most events are still set to take place at the Convention Center and CCU.

Volunteers can sign up to be athlete escorts, court monitors, meal assistants, and more, but a Special Olympics South Carolina spokesperson said athletes’ favorite part of the weekend is seeing volunteers cheer them on.

Kara Harmon, director of communications for Special Olympics South Carolina, said it’s important for the community to support and celebrate the athletes.

“You know, a lot of times, these athletes, they’re the forgotten population, right,” Harmon said. “So being able to kind of, just, highlight the amazing abilities that they do have, and what they can bring to our world and our community, is just such a great opportunity.”

Even if you don’t volunteer, the Fall Games are free and open to the public.

Part of Special Olympics South Carolina’s mission is inclusivity. Harmon shared one of her favorite memories of a gymnast at a national competition to show what Special Olympics represents.

“One of our athletes could not flip over the bar,” she said. “She had this mental block. She was nervous. She was scared. Well, she finally did it. OK, she did not land it. It was not pretty, but she did it, and she fell right on her bottom. She hopped right up and did her salute, and she was like, ‘I did it!’ And the whole crowd went nuts.”

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Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook , or Instagram , and read more of her work here .

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