The 2016 Guam Special Olympics is fast approaching, and Gachong is one team that has been training with an eye for capturing the gold.

Gachong is a community-based team comprised of adults with various cognitive and developmental disabilities who live and work in the community.

Gachong will be competing in events such as the 50-yard-assisted walk, 400 mile relay, softball throw, standing long jump, and running long jump.

Gachong was separated into different groups and each group was assigned to train in an event, with each group then rotating between events with the other groups throughout the day.

Anthony Smith Nelson is Gachong’s coach and it is his first time coaching. Nelson has volunteered with Special Olympics for a few years.

“Coaching these athletes is very inspiring.” Nelson said “Some of them are very energetic and ready to go.”

Nelson said “Although the athletes started off with some minor technique issues, they were able to fix those problems as the weeks progressed.”

For example, the athletes training for the softball event showed a remarkable increase in the distances where they were able to throw the softball.

Nelson also said  he learned that the athletes are competitive but always want to have fun.

Robin Fernandez is another volunteer coach. Fernandez is a medic by profession and has been coaching these athletes for past two years.

“it feels awesome to be coaching these athletes.” Fernandez said “I was nervous at first, but when you get to meet them you love them and you want to come back for more.”

Fernandez’s family also started volunteering for the track and field even while she was deployed. She brought her children out to meet these athletes to help them understand that despite having a disability, each person was to be treated the same.

She has also invited some of the athletes to her family functions. She loves being around the athletes because of their personality and how inspiring they can be.

Mark Pangelinan is a wheelchair-bound athlete who has been with Special Olympics on and off for several years.

Pangelinan has competed in other events for Special Olympics such as bowling. This year he is competing in softball throw and hundred meter race

“My goal is to get the gold this year.” Pangelinan said

The Special Olympic will be held on Saturday, March 19 at Okkodo High School. Showtime for all athletes is at 7 a.m. followed by opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. and the events start at 9 a.m. and will run until 4 p.m.

Special Olympics Guam  (SOGU) is a nonprofit organization that has been active on Guam since 1976 with the first Track and Field event officially kicking off in 1977. Volunteers donate their time to keep the program going.

Special Olympics Guam provides quarterly sporting events throughout the year starting with Track and Field, Bowling, Aquatics, and Golf.

Each event is modified to ensure individuals with all forms of disabilities are able to participate without prejudice.