LAKE HAVASU — Parker’s new Special Olympics team will make its debut this weekend.

David Bell/News-Herald Photo, File Havasu’s Jeff Cowell lights the Special Olympics Flame at the 2009 Colorado River area Track & Field meet. The 2010 meet will take place Saturday at Thunderbolt Middle School. will play host to the 2010 area meet with teams coming from Kingman, Bullhead City and Parker.

The Lake Havasu City Special Olympics Team will play host to the 19th annual Colorado River Area Track & Field Games at Thunderbolt Middle School on Saturday starting at 9:30 a.m.

Vicki Gwynne, president of the London Bridge Civitan Club, which is sponsoring and conducting the local games, said, “We are expecting as many as 80 athletes at the meet. In addition to Lake Havasu City, teams from Bullhead City and Kingman will be competing, as well as the brand new Parker Team. The athletes will compete in shot put, long jump, softball throw and the 25-, 50- and 100-meter runs.”

Just as in the International Olympic games, the Special Olympics meet will start with the parade of athletes, also involving city and state government and Special Olympics officials and other special guests. Following the presentation of the colors by the Marine Corp. League Color Guard and several guest introductions, athletes will conduct a torch run around the track and then light the Special Olympics’ flame.

“The meet is open to the public. We would really like to see people out there rooting the athletes on,” said Chris Bergen, Mohave/La Paz County Special Olympics Area Director. “These Special Olympians work diligently all year long training for these games, and the opportunity to advance to the state and national level. They need the support from our residents.”

There are currently over 5,000 Special Olympics athletes participating in sports training and athletic competition throughout Arizona and Havasu’s Don Bergen has been selected to be the bocce coach representing the state at the USA National Special Olympics Games in Lincoln, Neb. in May.

Special Olympics was founded on the belief that people with mental and developmental disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team sports.

“The program gives the athletes the opportunity to increase their skills, demonstrate their courage and share the friendship of other competitors,” Chris Bergen said.