In June, St. Charles Parish members of the Bayouland Special Olympics Team won several medals for multiple sports at the 2018 USA Special Olympic Games in Seattle.

“It’s such a special thing to work with people who might not have a chance to compete in sports at a high level such as the Olympic Games and watch them achieve awards for their performance while not being singled out for their disability,” said Parks and Recreation Assistant Superintendent Kenny Guedry.

“Giving our special needs residents this opportunity and allowing them equal opportunity to show their talent in any sport benefits our parish because it enhances the lives of our special athletes, their families and our community.”

St. Charles Parish athletes were able to compete with unified partners (a teammate without a disability that participates with a special athlete to form a unified team), also from the parish.

“Being a unified partner gives you the opportunity to learn things from a special athlete that nothing else could ever teach you,” said unified partner Anne Gaubert.

“You are there to guide them and to help them thrive, but it’s the athlete in turn who teaches you; getting the medal is second to the life lessons you learn.”

In addition to the medals earned, two St. Charles Parish residents served as head coaches: Mollie Picou of Des Allemands for bowling and Kenny Guedry for track and field.

For more information on Special Olympics visitlaso.org.

Olympic Games hosted 47 events, of which parish athletes placed in 34

The winners of gold and silver are as follows:

Bowling Traditional Singles

• Ronnette Rome – Silver

• Kurt Theriot – Gold

Bowling Unified Doubles – Silver

• Athlete – Ronnette Rome

• Unified Partner – Annie Gaubert

• Athlete – Kurt Theriot

• Unified Partner – Alex Miller

Bowling Unified Teams – Gold

• Athletes – Ronnette Rome & Crystal Duplechin

• Unified Partners – Annie Gaubert & Victoria Corley

• Athletes – Kurt Theriot & Andy Gay

• Unified Partners – Alex Miller & Adam Rhodes

 

Athletics – Gold

• Athlete – Hannah Hotard, 100M walk

Athletics – Silver

• Athlete – Hannah Hotard, 50M walk

Athletics – 4th

• Athlete – Hannah Hotard, Softball Throw

 

Bocce – Gold, Silver

• Unified Partner – Remi Mato