They All Felt a Special Thrill of Victory

Clarice Hirata, 33, inched along the Cypress College track in her wheelchair, powered by one arm and one leg, her face twisted and wincing with effort as she stopped and started along the 25 meters to the finish line.

The winner had already covered the course in 33 seconds. It took Hirata, a speechless cerebral palsy victim since birth, six minutes longer.

Shouts of Encouragement

But as she rolled awkwardly and alone toward the finish line, a dozen people encircled her, shouting encouragement as some in the nearby bleachers called out endearments. At the end of the race, she was embraced and kissed and received a fourth-place ribbon.

And the scene, repeated time and again Saturday, is what the Orange County Special Olympics is all about, organizers said.

About 1,000 athletes, physically handicapped or mentally impaired, participated in the annual Special Olympics track and field meet, organized this year with the help of 750 volunteers. An additional 1,000 enthusiastic supporters watched such events as wheelchair slalom races, in which entrants circle a course of cones, softball throw, shot put, high jump, the standing long jump and the running long jump, and other events.

May Compete in Berkeley

The results of their efforts will determine which athletes participate in the statewide Special Olympics, to be held the last weekend of June in Berkeley. Last year, Hirata won a first-place gold medal and a second-place silver medal, according to Donna Morton, her group leader from Fairview Developmental Community in Costa Mesa.

“She has a great sense of humor. Hers is a physical handicap,” Morton, who has worked with Hirata for five years, said affectionately. “She could walk when she was small. She goes to school during the day to learn things like grooming and social skills. She can hear everything you say.”

Ram Gives Out Ribbons

Rams placekicker Mike Lansford pinned ribbons on each of the winners, many of whom climbed a three-tiered white podium painted red, white and blue and raised their fists in victory. Much to their delight, a photographer took snapshots of each of the athletes before they were escorted down by Marines, who volunteered to help on their day off from the Tustin Marines Corps Air Station.

“I feel great about it,” 15-year-old Jennie Heard said softly, grinning broadly after finishing first in the slalom wheelchair race.