By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
Nearly 300 athletes competed in the Special Olympics Connecticut Unified Sports Fall Festival Bocce Competition at the city’s Old Grove Park courts Sept. 19.
The bocce tournament, presented by the Mohegan Tribe, showcased Special Olympics athletes from several teams statewide, including West Haven, Hamden, North Haven, Cheshire and Manchester.
At 9 a.m., the opening ceremony commenced on the grounds of the historic seaside park and included a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard and the singing of the national anthem by West Haven High School senior Sophia Martineau.
It also included remarks by Mayor Dorinda Borer, master of ceremonies Michelle Caprio, and Special Olympics Connecticut President and CEO Michael Mason and Senior Director of Organizational Development Katie Dennett.
The ceremony was attended by Councilman Gary Donovan, D-4, and players from the Connecticut Clippers’ squirt A hockey team.
Borer thanked Special Olympics Connecticut for organizing the bocce competition and selecting West Haven as the host site for the third year in a row.
Before welcoming the hundreds of athletes and their families to West Haven, Borer thanked the event’s sponsors, including Riva Bar & Restaurant and Stop & Shop of West Haven. The mayor also thanked the many volunteers and the city’s Fire and Police departments for participating, along with the competing athletes.
“You’re all winners to us,” Borer said. “Team West Haven, bring it home for us!”
The mayor received a glass-encased Unified Sports Fall Festival medal and plaque from Mason and Dennett for serving as a supporting sponsor and host site.
Borer then gave a special shoutout to Riva, represented by co-owners Michael Delvecchio and Stefano Coletta.
Riva hosted its inaugural Riva Gives Back Golf Tournament in July, raising more than $12,000 to support Special Olympics Connecticut athletes.
“We love you and appreciate everything you do for our city,” Borer said of Riva.
As DJ Steve Gourdier played John Williams’ “Olympic Fanfare and Theme,” torchbearer Sean DelGreco of the Team North Haven bocce team carried the “flame of hope” into the venue with West Haven Police Chief Joseph S. Perno.
“Many thanks to the town of West Haven, including Savin Rock, the Knights of Columbus, the Connecticut Elks Association and so many others who have come out this weekend to be with us,” Caprio said. “I wish you all the best of luck — let the Games begin!”
West Haven’s six bocce courts were donated and constructed by Special Olympics Connecticut for the Special Olympics World Games bocce competition in July 1995.
Other Special Olympics competitions were also held across the state, including golf in Hamden and softball in East Hartford.
Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for over 12,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports partners — their teammates without disabilities.
Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities statewide and in 190 countries worldwide by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for people of all abilities, on and off the playing field.
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