Memorial Stadium played host to the 36th annual Cahaba Center Special Olympics Wednesday, where more than 100 athletes from Selma, Uniontown, Camden, Marion and Chatom took part in the games.

The games are a way to showcase people with disabilities and give them a chance to compete against one another.

“It is such a great benefit to their pride, self worth and sense of accomplishment that they feel like they can do things just like anybody else can do things,” said Lafon Barlow, executive director for Cahaba Mental Health Center. “I think that means a great deal, and you can tell how much they enjoy it just by the smiles on their faces.”

As the opening ceremony began, each team paraded around the track with their banners held high and Mayor George Evans brought in the torch with Sammy Beard and Derrick Winston, who have competed in the games for the last 10 years.

A moment of silence for long-time director of Selma’s recreation department closed the ceremony, and games were under way.

The athletes competed in various events that included shot-put, softball throws and dashes.

For Joe Wilson, an Olympian with the Cahaba Center, competing in the shot-put and 50 meter dash are his favorite events to take part in every year.

“I’ve had a good time coming out here and competing in the Special Olympics,” Wilson said. “I really enjoyed it.”

Doris Holland, a member of the Alpha One Civitan Club, has been volunteering for the Special Olympics for years. Holland was just one of the club’s members helping athletes onto the winners pedestal to have their pictures taken after competing.

“It is just a gift from God for us to be here, and it is also a gift from God for these people that are handicapped to have this opportunity because to them, just imagine how special this is,” Holland said. “They look forward to it every year, and to see how hard they work is amazing.”

While care methods have changed over the years, Barlow said Special Olympics is something that has stayed the same, and she hopes it is a lasting tradition.

“Special Olympics is something that I don’t see that ever needs to go away because I have seen the good that it does,” Barlow said. “It brings feelings of pride, self-esteem and self worth, and I don’t know that we would have been able to accomplish that without it.”

Weater Catens, who serves as the Special Olympics coach for the Educational Center for Independence in Chatom, said this is their opportunity to show their talent.

“They work really, really hard every year preparing for it because this is the highlight of their year,” Catens said. “It is the opportunity to really let the world know what their abilities are and how they will push beyond their disabilities and just do the very best that they can.”

Winners from each competition will move on to the state Special Olympics in Troy.

The Cahaba Center received more than $1,300 in donations during Wednesday’s games from Woodsmen of the World, Alpha One Civitan, the Moose Club and a personal donation.