The dream of winning a medal at the Olympics can come true for athletes at the 1999 Summer Special Olympics today through Saturday in Ames.

Special Olympics is a yearlong sports program in which athletes can train and compete, said Pam Wagner, director of the Special Olympics of Iowa.

Special Olympics opening ceremonies are today at 7:30 p.m. at Jack Trice Stadium.

Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson will be in attendance to help kick off the celebration.

The opening ceremonies also will include a parade, a torch-lighting ceremony, an F-16 squadron fly-by and fireworks.

The Summer Games is the largest of the Iowa competitions with over 300 athletes participating in 22 different events, Wagner said.

Participants will be competing in track and field events, swimming, cycling, tennis, soccer and roller-skating.

Over 20 committees of volunteers helped to organize and operate the Special Olympics.

“I got involved in the Special Olympics because I think it is so much fun and a great opportunity to work with that population of people and watch the athletes,” said Lisa Pedersen, one-year coach of the adult Special Olympic team in Ames.

“[The athletes] get so much from it,” she said.

“It gives them something to look forward to, helps them know the other athletes, and it lets them do something different than their daily routine,” Pedersen said.

Iowa State has hosted the event for many years, Wagner said.

“President Jischke and the Athletic Department are very supportive. They go out of their way to help us,” Wagner said.

The ISU Athletic Department supplies the same equipment and facilities to the Special Olympians as to ISU athletes, Wagner said.

Today’s events include the 50 and 100 meter dash, standing and running long jumps, shot put and a softball tournament, as well as a pentathlon, which includes swimming and running events.

Saturday’s events include the more lengthy events, as well as a small closing ceremony.

Medals will be presented to the Olympians in the top eight places.

Participants have the opportunity to continue on to the World Games held in North Carolina June 26 through July 4.

Funding for the Special Olympics is raised yearly through fund raisers and donations, Wagner said.