CHARLOTTE — Over 1,000 Special Olympics athletes came to Charlotte to compete in the Special Olympics North Carolina Fall Tournament this weekend.
Athletes competed in bocce ball, cycling, roller skating, softball, soccer and tennis.
For the first time since 2019, Special Olympics of North Carolina’s second-largest state-level competition returned, taking place in Charlotte, Indian Trail, Gastonia and a cycling competition in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
SONC provides opportunities not only for athletes to participate, but also to officiate. Special Olympics athlete Annie Tane was a bocce official for the first time during this year’s fall tournament.
“It’s kind of interesting for me to be on the other side, rather than being an athlete,” said Tane. “It’s important because some athletes may not know what opportunities are out there. That was the situation for me, not even thinking I could do more than be an athlete when I started Special Olympics.”
For more information, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, visit SONC’s website here.
(WATCH BELOW: Community rallies around beloved local Special Olympics athlete in ICU battling COVID-19)
©2022 Cox Media Group