Throughout our Going for Gold series, we've introduced you to elite athletes who earned spots on Team Guam. Whether at last fall's Pacific Games, the Micronesian Games this June, or the Paris summer games a month after that, it's an honor they carry with them forever. And one of our most-proud island sports traditions returns on March 23, as Okkodo High hosts the 48th Special Olympics' track and field meet.

Geri Leon Guerrero with Special Olympics Guam told KUAM Sports, "The excitement is very heartwarming - that all these kids participate in the torch run and the excitement for them to begin their Olympic competition. Several events we have is the softball throw, the shot put, the running long jump, the standing long jump, and several different aspects of of track."

These athletes learn not only sporting techniques and mindset, but also skills extending far beyond the playing field.

She continued, visibly emotional, "Every year as we get older right and we see we see the kids grow up to be an adult, I tell you it's like they're part of your family and all you strive is not only giving them the opportunity to have a fair playing field - a sporting event to participate, but you're also there to support them in becoming independent and having an independent life and being sustainable in whichever career or jobs or volunteer work that they end up doing later on."

And powered by our community's love, a big part of the Special Olympics team is always those who come out to help, creating an experience that lasts a lifetime.

Leon Guerrero explained, "So we get over throughout the day and the setup and breakdown I think over 3,000 volunteers; people don't realize that just to setup alone, we really are need 100 volunteers just to set up. We have to put the canopies up we have to line the fields we have to line the track we have to make sure it's clean we have somebody to mow the grass in all the sand pits. And then, of course, we need cheerleaders - we need our community members to come out and be there to cheer for our athletes they they can select the school and they can participate at the school and follow them or they could be handing out medals."

But across all of sports, the rarest and most-special of responsibilities is being the person chosen to light the Olympic Flame and start the games. So what's the protocol for picking such an athlete?

"They write certain things about themselves, how well they did in their training and their times, and so it's based off of the coaches and who they recommend who would represent this year. We don't necessarily choose the same person that someone else new will always have their fair share of time to light the Olympic torch," said Leon Guerrero.

But the honor that everyone shares – competitors, coaches, family, friends an volunteers – is being able to raise their right hands in unison and recite the Oath of Athletes: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

So make plans to show up and support, volunteer and cheer on Guam's Special Olympians. It's always a positive time.