To Chelsea Durham, Special Olympics is about one word -- Victory.
Durham, 25, of Farmington, is one of more than 140 athletes and 100 coaches from across the state gathered for Special Olympics Arkansas' Sports Training Camp at John Brown University this week.
Athletes trained in six sports -- floor hockey, basketball, flag football, track and field, aquatics and power lifting -- during the five-day camp. Meanwhile coaches worked on earning their certification in two sports of their choice throughout the week.
Durham was practicing her basketball skills on Monday afternoon.
"Sports camp is amazing," Durham said. "It's so much fun. I love all the people."
Special Olympics Arkansas provides training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, according to the organization's website www.specialolympicsarkansas.org.
The organization offers local and state level competitions, including a summer and winter Olympics, as well as training camps, according to Sawyer Ramsey, Director of Sports Training and Competition.
JBU has been hosting Sports Training Camp for 15 years, according to Jennifer Grantham, Director of Field Services, Initiatives and Volunteers for Special Olympics Arkansas.
The athletes at this week's training camp were of all ages -- from 8 years old up to 60.
The university will also be hosting Special Olympics Arkansas' Camp Shriver for the first time, on July 17 through 19. The camp brings youth with and without disabilities together to compete side-by side-in sports.
During the Sports Training Camp athletes rotate among six events each day. Athletes begin the week of camp practicing broad skills. As the week progresses they hone in on specifics and get a preview of the flow of competition, Ramsey said.
In addition to the obvious physical benefits, Special Olympics' camps and competitions have social and emotional benefits. Most of the athletes compete with each other throughout the state and develop friendships. The bonds give the training camp a family atmosphere, Grantham said.
Many people aren't aware of how well rounded Special Olympics athletes are, Ramsey said. Most athletes compete and train in multiple events year-round.
Durham has been involved in Special Olympics for 13 years. She has competed at the state level summer games in the 50 meter dash and softball throw. Locally she competes in bowling and other events. Her favorite sports are volleyball, bowling, track and field.
She has also enjoyed making friends from all over the state and learning to compete in different sports.
Durham said Special Olympics has taught her to have lots of confidence and given her the feeling of "Yes I can do it!"
She explained that reciting the Special Olympics Oath before each event gives her confidence. The oath is "Let me win, but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt."
Durham is involved in Special Olympics Arkansas' Athlete Leadership Program. The program trains athletes in communication and speech skills so they can tell their stories and be ambassadors for Special Olympics.
Nathan McClain, 19, of Little Rock, participates in the Athlete Leadership Program. He was practicing floor hockey on Monday afternoon.
McClain became involved with Special Olympics in middle school. The program has taught him to get along with others and make new friends, he said.
The fun McClain has had at training camp over the years motivated him to work extra hard in swimming, he said.
"I love training camp," he said.
McClain won first place and set a record in the 50-yard butterfly stroke at the 2014 USA Special Olympic Games, held in New Jersey in June.
"It felt awesome," McClain said. "It was like a dream come true."
The 2014 USA games was McClain's first experience at competing on a national level.
More than 115 athletes from Arkansas went on to compete in the USA Olympic Games this year. Arkansas athletes have also gone on to compete in the world games and have traveled to countries such as Greece, China and Ireland, Ramsey said.
The games are divided into age groups and ability levels so that athletes can compete with their peers.
"We want everybody to push each other to get better and grow," Ramsey said.
General News on 07/16/2014