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We read about the individuals who are paid millions of dollars to coach college athletic teams and professional athletes who receive unheard of salaries.

Unfortunately, in our opinion, we don't see nearly enough about the greatest coaches and athletes who don't receive a dime for their efforts.

Have you ever read about the Special Olympics?

They involve handicapped people of all ages who compete to the best of their ability in various sports.

Their coaches are very patient, unpaid adults who teach and escort the participants to events in which they compete with others who have similar handicaps.

The handicaps vary widely from physical to mental but not to attitude. Their attitude, like that of their coaches, is bright, upbeat and very positive.

All of us, and likely most All-Americans and their high-paid coaches, could learn several lessons from these Special Olympians, especially when it comes to determination and attitude. They compete in mostly track and field events where they can participate individually.

Their oath:
"Let me win,
but if I cannot win,
let me be brave
in the attempt."

The local program started in 1986, thanks to the efforts of Gail "Cookie" Crowson and local Civitans. She still heads the program through Maryville-Alcoa-Blount County Parks and Recreation Commission. You rarely see Cookie's name mentioned in stories but you can bet she was there, just as she worked with the recent competition in Nashville.

A delegation of 11 athletes and seven coaches from Blount County, winners at our countywide (Area 15) event, recently participated in the Special Olympics State Games in Nashville.

They brought home 23 medals, including six Gold Medals, six Silver Medals, eight Bronze Medals and three fourth place ribbons.

These outstanding athletes were Earl Anderson, Robby Ellis, Eugene Morton, Zach McMurray, Jacob Stinnett, Chris Denson, Brody Theien, Brittany Campbell, Tyler Burruss, E. J. Snyder and Karl Kant, all winners!

Coaches included Debbie Ballard, Donna Holden, Donna Miles, Stephanie Schrock, Helen Staley, James "Tiger" McCord and Chip Hultquist.

The names of these state medal winners will be placed in a pool of names. An official drawing of names from that pool will determine who is in Tennessee's quota of participants in the World Games next year. Earl Anderson, who won a medal in the state this year, participated in the World Games four years ago.

These are the real sports heroes who daily battle to win the game of life on a playing field that for them is far from level!