Steven And Heathers Day at the Kadena Special Olympics...
We both Voluntunteered this year at the Special Olypmics on Kadena Air Base. We were "huggers" - we were assigned to an athlete and our job was to take them to their events and cheer them on!! We had an awesome time - a lil too much sun - but well worth it!!
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The family we were "huggers" for
From left to right back row Heather, Dad, Jun (another Hugger), Mom, and Steven. I put mom and dad cause I didn't know their names?! and then in front were the athletes we were with for the day Nagito and Kaito,
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Opening Ceremony
They were expecting 1200 athletes, 2000 family and friends, over 2000 volunteers. A famous Japanese Comedian was even in attendance! We release balloons (2per athlete) into the air at the opening ceremonies!
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Our entourage!
Jun (in black) and LEslie (in green) were the huggers helping us out. In the red we had our translator BIG HELP!!! and Then of course Kaito (the brother to our athlete) in the wheel chair.
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Opening Ceremony continued..
The boys' mom is in the front left, Heather, Nagito (in the chair) .. for opening ceremonies all the athletes found the school they were tied to and walked the track then stood in the middle of the track for the torch to be lit and introductions to be made.
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Joining the drummers!
We took a break from outside heat and activities to come inside sit in the air and enoy some local entertainment. After the drummers did their dance they had everyone join them on the floor.
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Ryukyu Drummers
The drummers in there opening... they came out to the " we will rock you" song! HAHA - Steven and myself were like what is going on ...?
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Shi Shi Dog Dancers
There were 2 kids per shi shi dog, and 4 dogs altogether
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Shi Shi Dance cont..
The dogs rolled over, danced, chased their tails, and nibbled at their back feet! it was soo cute!
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dancing
Taking their bow! :)
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Japanese kids dancing
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Fianl Drum Call
The drummers let the onlookers come out and bang ont he drums to the last song
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Waiting at Tent #5
This was actually taken early in the morning as we were waiting for out athletes to arrive. And tent number 5 was are meet up point, lunch eating area, etc. If there was a break we could come back to the shade and sit, or if we got split up this was our meet up point.
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Bean Bag WheelChair Races
For all Wheel Chair athletes... they had to race down the track and stop at 4 points to drop their been bags into a box drawn on the track. First to the finish line wins! they raced in sets of 3 so everyone got a first, second, or third place medallion!
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Nagi got 3rd!
This is Nagi recieving his medallion. He was so excited!!
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