GREAT FALLS – The Special Olympics Montana (SOMT) 2019 Summer Games officially began in Great Falls on Wednesday evening with the Opening Ceremonies at the C.M. Russell Fieldhouse.
Representative athletes from each team were introduced at the beginning of the ceremony, from small teams like Opheim to bigger teams like Billings.
Athletes, supporters, and family members danced to live music, watched acrobatics, and, of course, witnessed the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Officers formed the Circle of Hope as Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter and SOMT athlete-of-the-year Jamie Darko carried the Flame of Hope into the Fieldhouse, where they ignited the cauldron to signify the official beginning of the Summer Games.
The Games continue Thursday and Friday.
Closing Ceremonies will be held at Memorial Stadium at 8 a.m. Friday.
Reporting by Kasey Herman for MTN News
