JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hundreds of athletes in Northeast Florida showed off their talent Saturday as they competed in the Special Olympics Florida “Area Games.”
After three months of training, 450 Special Olympic athletes showed their skills at Atlantic Coast High School.
Athletes’ ages ranged from as young as 8 and even some into their 80s.
James Lobinsky competed in the pentathlon, which is a series of five track and field events. He is a national gold medalist and looking to add another one to his resume.
“It is about trying to get along with all of the people. Trying to help motivate them to do the best that they possibly can, have fun doing it,” Lobinsky said. “If they win, that’s great. If they don’t win first, just try to have a good time and never lose their cool whatsoever.”
Lobinsky has been competing for 23 years.
“I will always have a song in my head, depending on what event I am doing. I just have that song, focus,” Lobinsky said.
Tiffany Dorber is an avid tennis player, and beyond this sport, she is a gold and silver medalist in paddleboarding.
“It is a lot of fun. I get to meet a lot of new friends, a lot of new teammates and coaches,” Dorber said.
The Summer Games features top Northeast Florida athletes in the area in these sports:
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Track and field
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Bocce
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Tennis
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Cycling
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Soccer
Apart from the 450 athletes, the Special Olympics requires 200 volunteers and 80 coaches from 10 different counties to make it happen.
The 10 counties include Duval, Volusia, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Clay, Columbia, Alachua, Marion, and Flagler.
Zoe LoSasso with Special Olympics Florida said these athletes prove something.
“Here at Special Olympics, not only can they do sports, but we provide crucial health services, leadership programs, and we think that every athlete can do as much as they want to. They just need to be given the right chance,” LoSasso said.
Ashley Brasskarran cheered on those she coaches for the Mallison Park Community team in Duval County — a job and passion she has dedicated her life to.
“These kids and adults, a lot of people think that they cannot do things. They put labels on them. There are a lot of stigmas behind people with exceptionality, but you know what? They prove them wrong every single time. I love to be here to witness their amazingness,” Brasskarran said.
All of the athletes who competed Saturday are trying to qualify for the regional competition in Daytona Beach in April and the state competition in Orlando in May.
They are all vying for that coveted spot to compete in the national games in 2026 in Minnesota.
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