Special Olympics staged on Big Mountain

 The 2012 Special Olympics Montana Games kick off Sunday in Whitefish and continue through Tuesday at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

The public is invited to line Central Avenue from Third Street to Railway Street for the Parade of Athletes beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday. People are invited to accompany the athletes to the opening ceremonies in Depot Park for the ceremonial lighting of the Special Olympics cauldron as well as other fun festivities for families.

The Law Enforcement Torch run is a global organization of law enforcement officers who raise funds for Special Olympics athletes and participate in the lighting of the cauldron as well as the transfer of the flame at Closing Ceremonies to the State Summer Games in May.

More than 300 athletes, 30 unified partners and 150 coaches/chaperones from more than 25 teams are expected to gather on Big Mountain to compete in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowboarding.

The Special Olympics is a 42-year-old movement that enables children and adults with intellectual disabilities to train for life through sports.

This is the 17th consecutive year the State Winter Games have been held at Whitefish Mountain Resort. To learn more, visit www.somt.org or call Special Olympics Montana at 1-800-242-6876 or 406-216-5327.