LARAMIE - The 2005 Wyoming Special Olympics Summer Games kick off here today at several sites.

A field of 380 Special Olympians and 24 teams along with 150 volunteers and 150 coaches will gather for one of four statewide competitions held annually, according to a release prepared by Special Olympics Wyoming (SOWY). Athletes participate in basketball, powerlifting, gymnastics, aquatics and track and field.

In addition to basketball and powerlifting competition, today's schedule includes the arrival of the "Flame of Hope" at the University of Wyoming's Corbett Building at 12:30 p.m., and dinner and the opening ceremony at Laramie High School beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Participants will be treated to a "Victory Banquet and Dance" at the Laramie Parks and Recreation Ice Arena on Saturday beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The closing ceremony will be held at competition sites (see schedule this page) on Sunday at noon.

Special Olympics Wyoming provides year-round training and competition for children and adults with disabilities. SOWY currently serves more than 600 athletes in the Cowboy State, however, there are potentially 8,000 people with disabilities who could benefit from the organization, according to the release.

SOWY is a non-profit organization funded through the generosity of thousands of individuals, small businesses and corporations throughout the state.

For more information, call (307) 235-3062 or (800) 735-8345.

At a glance

Here is the competition schedule for the 2005 Wyoming Special Olympics Summer Games, which will be held today through Saturday in Laramie:

TODAY

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Registration (Corbett Building).

12:30 p.m.: "Flame of Hope" arrival (Corbett).

1 to 4:30 p.m.: Competition begins - basketball skills (Corbett); basketball 5-on-5 (Corbett); basketball 3-on-3 (MultiPurpose Gym); powerlifting (Rochelle Athletics Center).

7 p.m.: Opening ceremony (Laramie High School).

FRIDAY

9 a.m. to noon: Competition - basketball skills (Corbett); basketball 5-on-5 (Corbett); basketball 3-on-3 (MultiPurpose Gym); gymnastics (Wyoming School of Gymnastics).

1 to 4 p.m.: Competition - athletics (Laramie High School); aquatics (Corbett).

SATURDAY

9 a.m. to noon: Competition - athletics (Laramie High School); aquatics (Corbett).

Noon: Closing ceremony (competition sites).

More information: (307) 235-3062 or (800) 735-8345.