The Special Olympics is an organization that provides athletic opportunities for adults and children with academic disabilities. Their overall goal is to foster acceptance and inclusion through friendly athletic competition. There are over 4.9 million athletes associated with these games along with programs in 172 countries as explained by the Special Olympics website.

One such athlete who participates in these games is Terrence Freelove, a Santaluces student who lit the torch at the games this past week.

“It was an extreme honor to me,” said Freelove about lighting the torch. Terrence was also recently named Special Olympics Athlete Of The Year by the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame, an award that is an extreme honor to receive.

Terrence competes in Basketball in the Olympics and loves the opportunities he is given.

“I like to make friends with the other athletes and I like being able to tell them good luck and support them.” Terrence is the definition of an athlete with good sportsmanship and determination, he puts his mind into his events and he comes out on top.

“Terrence competed in the Pentathlon — one of the most rigorous summer track and field competitive events.  I witnessed his dedication and determination this past weekend as he spent an entire day going from event to event.  I am quite proud of his accomplishments,” says coach Michael Woods.

Woods has been a coach for many years and says that Terrence exemplifies what it means to be a true athlete.

“I can truly say that Terrence personifies the Special Olympics Athlete Oath, ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt!’”

For the next games, Terrence just plans on continuing to grow as an athlete to make his events even stronger. He is an example of someone who constantly pushes towards success, a very impressive young man.