Athletes gather at Red Bluff High for the 2023 Tehama County Special Olympics on Tuesday

RED BLUFF, Calif. — The 2023 Tehama County Special Olympics kicked-off Tuesday morning at Red Bluff High School, where athletes from all over the county arrived to show off their skills in several track and field events.

The event started with a parade featuring all students, teachers, family members, Cal Fire members, Red Bluff police officers and Tehama County Sheriff's deputies.

Then, it was time to race. Students, of all ages, competed in several events, such as wheelchair racing, the 100 and 200 meter dash and relay, frisbee toss and long jump.

"It's, really, a chance for them to shine. It's all about them. They've trained in various events and their parents get to come watch them compete," said Jodie Johnson, a committee member for the Special Olympics. Johnson told KRCR’s Tyler Van Dyke they had a record number of students participate in the event this year.

"Our high, on athletes, was 470 and we are at over 510," Johnson explained. "Last year, we had the Special Olympics, but we were, kind of, on the rebound year because we lost two years with COVID. So, it takes a lot to rebuild the support." It wasn't just more athletes this year, Johnson said they also had a record number of participating booths.

"We have 22 Olympic booths—which is a record. So, really, the community comes out. [Redding] Rotary served 800 lunches—which is a lot of lunches—and that's strictly for school-age volunteers and special athletes," Johnson told KRCR.

Johnson says she's thankful because she knows Red Bluff is very fortunate for all the school district support with transportation and costs. She says she's grateful for everyone who helped put on one of the largest school-based Special Olympics in Northern California.

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