SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. -- About 1,500 athletes, along with hundreds of coaches, volunteers, families and fans gathered Saturday at the University of Rhode Island for the 45th annual Special Olympics Rhode Island summer games.
"It's a spectacular weekend," said Special Olympics CEO Dennis DeJesus, who said the Special Olympics athletes enjoy the friendships and social aspects of the games as much as the athletics.
This year, he said, Special Olympics staff made special efforts to ensure that the athletes (and volunteers) were not adversely affected by the heat.
That included meetings with all the team coaches and having plenty of fluids available at all the competition sites. As of 4 p.m. Saturday, Special Olympics Rhode island reported no serious incidents.