Federal Way Thunder qualify at Special Olympics Spring Games

Special Olympics Washington held the State Spring Games from June 7 to June 9. The event brought together over 2,000 athletes, Unified partners and coaches from across the state.

The Federal Way Thunder represented the city in soccer matches on Saturday and took home the silver medal at the 2024 State Spring Games. 36 soccer teams played multiple games each on Saturday at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. Out of the four Special Olympics teams in Federal Way, the Federal Way Thunder was the only one to qualify.

Troy Robert Marsh has been an athlete with Special Olympics since age 6. He and goalie for the Federal Way Thunder Nick King were on the Unified team that achieved second place in Nationals for Unified flag football in 2018.

Nick King said for him, “My favorite part of the whole Special Olympics is not the competition, it’s the friendships we form.”

Unified teams include a mix of both athletes with intellectual disabilities and those without. Special Olympics Washington includes a variety of both traditional and Unified teams, allowing opportunities to bring communities together through sports even more.

“Special Olympics Washington provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for thousands of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community,” the organization shared.

This year’s State Spring Games included competitions and demonstrations of skills in athletics (track and field), powerlifting, soccer, and swimming.

The Special Olympics are also supported by law enforcement and a yearly tradition and fundraiser unites agencies across the state.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the largest public awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser for Special Olympics. Law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope into the opening ceremony of local competitions, according to the organization.

The city shared that “the Federal Way Police Department proudly joined the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) movement for Special Olympics Washington this year. On Friday, June 7, FWPD Chief Andy Hwang carried the Flame of Hope. The torch is passed from city to city, symbolizing hope, courage, and the enduring spirit of community.”

Law enforcement officers were there to greet each team along with volunteers and other athletes as they entered the opening ceremonies on Friday, June 7.