We all know the Olympics have been a huge tradition for the world for many centuries. We know of the many honored athletes that participate in one of earth’s biggest events of every four years. Although, we may sometimes leave out the other organizations that help the people that are unable to understand what the International Olympics are.

        The Special Olympics, founded in 1968, paved an Olympic-like tournament for people with severe mental conditions. These conditions include mental illnesses such as Autism and Down’s Syndrome. Little does our community know, we have a special participant in this event.

        Gregory Ficara, a resident of East Quogue, participates in the Special Olympics. Gregory has lived his entire life with Down’s Syndrome, which majorly impairs a person’s developmental abilities. Does the disability stop him from being happy? Of course not! Gregory has the Special Olympics to prove for that.

(Please note that during the interview with Gregory Ficara, some of the things he said were said with the help of other people, including a speech pathologist and his mother.)

        Gregory has been in the New York Special Olympics for around 6 years. “I play bowling, basketball, powerlifting, baseball, Equestrian, floor hockey, and golf,” Gregory claimed during an interview.

        While he loves the Special Olympics, he loves the awards he gets from doing well in them. “So far I’ve gotten awards for all my sports in gold, silver, and bronze. It’s a gold medal for bowling. I went up to the New York State’s games for the Special Olympics and brought home gold,” Gregory expressed.

        The Special Olympics sometimes doesn’t have lots of funds to make the events happen, so lots of fundraising is involved. A lot of this fundraising is done with the help of the athletes themselves. “I help with doing the Brookhaven Polar Plunge, I volunteered for the Dead Run in Brady Park as a zombie, I give speeches for awareness, and I modeled the clothing for Macy’s at the Smith Haven Mall,” Gregory shows us as he gives us the many ways the Special Olympics has raised money so that the event can even happen. “It raises money for the athletes in the Special Olympics because there are no costs to participate for any of the athletes in any sport.”

        Other than being a fun hobby, a great activity, and a great way of inspiring the athletes, it can also be served as a way of paving their futures. “Being in the Special Olympics has given me self-confidence, helped me become a better person, and helped the athletes reach their full potential,” Gregory exclaimed. “It’s not about winning or losing; it’s about having fun and showing good sportsmanship.”

        If you are interested in volunteering for the Special Olympics or know a person who could become an athlete in the event, you can get information at http://specialolympics.org/. The athletes in this event are truly special, especially our own Gregory Ficara. The Westhampton Beach Student Government will be hosting a Special Olympics Basketball Tournament on March 8th, 2015, for those interested in volunteering or for simply enjoying the sport.