By Chloe Williams Staff Writer
The annual Special Olympics Louisiana summer games opening ceremony took place at Southeastern Louisiana University’s Track and Field Complex on Friday.
The ceremony consisted of teams from divisions from across the state being introduced and awards being distributed for standout athletes of the past year. Awards consisted of Female and Male Athletes of the Year, Female and Male Coach of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
Guests included emcee April Davis, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and festival queens from across Tangipahoa Parish.
The night concluded with the Flame of Hope being carried by multiple Olympic participants and then being lit, commencing the beginning of the games.
The games ran over the course of the weekend at SLU, with Saturday’s games lasting from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday’s closing games and events from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
