1. Reaching their Dreams
NORTHEAST COBB — Athletes from around the state have gathered in Cobb County this
weekend for the annual Special Olympics Georgia indoor winter games.
The games began Friday night with an opening ceremony at the Cobb Civic Center in
Marietta. Atlanta Dream basketball player Lindsey Harding was the grand marshal. Today will
be the final day of competition, with a unified basketball game scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon
at All-Tournament Players Park at 3910 Canton Road, just south of Ebenezer Road, in
northeast Cobb.
The games are free and open to the public.
Competitions took place at various locations in the county, including Brunswick Zone, The
Cooler, Marietta Middle School and Cobb Civic Center. About 2,800 athletes, coaches and
unified partners have participated in basketball, bowling, floor hockey, powerlifting, artistic
gymnastics and roller skating.
This year marks the 20th year that the Special Olympics Georgia indoor winter games have
been conducted in Cobb. Spokeswoman Wendy Bigham said the many athletic facilities
available in the county make it an ideal place to host the annual event.
“Cobb County has always been welcoming and enthusiastic to host all of our athletes and
families that come across the state to compete,” said Bigham, a Vinings resident.
Many athletes from outside metro Atlanta stay in the county’s hotels and eat at local
restaurants during their weekend stay for the games.
The games cost about $188,000 to conduct each year, according to Special Olympics
Georgia. The money, which comes from sponsors and grants, goes toward housing,
transportation, facility rentals, medals, meals and the opening ceremony for participants.
On Saturday, Michelle Praiff, 20, of Powder Springs, competed in team basketball with her
Cobb Lakers teammates at All-Tournament Players Park. Praiff is a Special Olympics
veteran, having participated in the games since she was 14 years old, at the urging of her
sister. She also plays softball, swimming, and track and field.
“I enjoy it and seeing everybody happy, when they make (free throw) shots and when they
see the trophies,” said Praiff, a Hillgrove Transition Academy student. “I get happy because
seeing them makes me happy.”
Special Olympics Georgia provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a
variety of sports for more than 23,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. During

2. its 40 years, the organization has grown to include 24 sports.
More than 1,500 athletes and 100 unified partners — participants without disabilities — will
compete this weekend, with more than 500 coaches guiding them.
In 2004, Pat Thoreson, head basketball coach of the Cobb Celtics, said he first became
involved in the Special Olympics to support his disabled stepson, Sean Concepcion, whom
he said is a talented athlete. Since then his participation has grown to a variety of sports.
“In regular life they’re ostracized,” he said of the athletes. “They don’t feel like they’re a part
of either school, work or play. Here, it gives them a chance to feel liked and accepted.”
Stacey Tomberlin of Dallas agreed. Her 17-year-old son, Ryan, has been involved with the
Special Olympics since he was 8 years old. He competed in basketball on Saturday.
“It’s a place where they belong, where they’re not judged,” she said. refrigerator repair green
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