Special Olympics is Thursday at McAndrew

Cheers -- and perhaps a few tears -- will fill McAndrew Stadium tomorrow as hundreds of children and adults with disabilities compete in the annual spring Special Olympics games.

About 854 athletes from the10 southernmost counties in Illinois are eligible for the event. Participants will compete in a variety of track and field events from 9 a.m. to about 2 p.m.

They will experience the rush athletes everywhere feel by pushing themselves to do their best physically and psychologically -- with hopes pinned on scoring a winner's medallion or ribbon.

Their oath: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Scores of volunteers will keep time, coordinate events and keep the athletes pumped for their moment in the limelight.

Athletes -- who may range in age from 8 to 80 -- train a minimum of eight weeks before this big contest. Winners advance to a state tournament held in summer.