S.C. Special Olympics games begin here Friday      Julia Simpkins   Public Affairs Staff  

Friday marks the 40th anniversary of the South Carolina Special Olympics at Fort Jackson. Opening ceremonies will be held at the MG Robert B. Solomon Center at 7:30 p.m.  There, more than 1,000 athletes, coaches and spectators will watch the Olympic torch being run to its final point in front of the center, marking the official beginning of the games. The Olympic torch run, while only the beginning of an exciting series of events, carries its own pomp and circumstance. Since March, Special Olympics hopefuls have been competing to see who will carry the torch to its many points before it gets here. Sue Maner, the Special Olympics South Carolina vice president of public relations and programs, said Friday’s events will start off post with a press conference downtown with the state’s torch runners. Next, the official run to Fort Jackson will start at the state house. The 7.2 mile run will be performed by Fort Jackson’s military police and law enforcement officers from throughout South Carolina.  Eric Brown, a special athlete, will light the cauldron at Fort Jackson. Brown, 25, was chosen because he is one of four track and field athletes to represent South Carolina at the 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. Inside the center, Brig. Gen. James H. Schwitters, Fort Jackson commanding general, will be joined by two other SOSC grand marshals to lead 18 delegations in the Parade of Athletes.  Afterward, the athletes will rest for the next day’s activities, which will include bowling, swimming, gymnastics and softball, starting at 8:30 a.m. The event’s activities will be run by the 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, whose noncommissioned officers will serve as mentors and proctors.  “The Fort Jackson installation and the 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment have been working hard in conjunction with the Special Olympics representatives to ensure this event is an enjoyable time for the athletes,” said Lt. Col. Randall Harris, battalion commander. “It is the 3-13th Infantry’s honor and pleasure to be given the opportunity to represent the 193rd Infantry Brigade and Fort Jackson as the host of this year’s games.”