2012 Winter Games Opening Ceremony

By Tela Mange

The 2012 Winter Games opening ceremony Thursday night in Round Rock was exciting for the Special Olympics athletes who traveled from all over Texas to compete in the Games.

Hundreds of athletes gathered in the Round Rock High School gym to watch the Parade of Athletes and recite the Athlete's Oath. Law enforcement officers from the Round Rock Police Department, the Austin Police Department and the Travis County Sheriff's Office participated in the ceremony and in lighting the torch.

Special Olympics Texas athletes will compete in bowling, volleyball, figure skating and powerlifting over the weekend. Also available on Saturday will be the Athlete Village and Wellness Park at Highland Mall. Be sure to stop by and visit Athlete Village--NASA employees, including an astronaut--will be present to display space memorabilia including real moon rocks and authentic space suits.

And you can't miss the Victory Dance Saturday night! Be sure to return to Round Rock High School from 7 to 9 p.m. and dance the night away with your friends.