Andover, North Andover Special Olympians Competing At School Day Games

ANDOVER, MA — Andover and North Andover will be holding the annual Special Olympics School Day Games next month, and this year's event will feature a prominent guest.

The games, which will include approximately 150 special education students competing in track and field events, is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. to noon on June 9 at Andover High School's Lovely Field, located at 80 Shawsheen Rd.

This is the 20th year that North Andover has participated in the School Day Games event, and the fifth year that Andover has been involved.

Appearing at the event this year will be James Day Keith, a North Andover native who appeared in the recent movie "Champions" starring Woody Harrelson. Keith, who has Down Syndrome, is a former North Andover PK-12 and Transition Opportunity Program (TOP) student.

According to the Boston Globe, the 25-year-old Keith has been participating in the Special Olympics since he was 8 years old, and he remains involved. Keith has competed in powerlifting, track, basketball, soccer and skiing.

The School Day Games event is scheduled to begin with a Parade of Athletes, who will be escorted by the Andover Police Department.

Then, the athletes will compete in four events: the 50-meter sash, tennis ball throw, and the standing and running long jumps.

According to Special Olympics, the organization has been supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities for over 50 years.

"The (Special Olympics provides) the opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in sharing skills and friendship," the organization said in a statement.