More than 500 people from the greater Sacramento region with developmental disabilities competed Sunday in track and field championships in south Sacramento.
The 15th Very Inspirational People Games is non-stop movement -- the softball throw is taking place at one end of the stadium at Luther Burbank High as 100 people compete in a dozen 100-meter age group races at the other end.
In the middle of the action, members of local media organizations place medals around the necks of those on the medal stand.
Joey Swiencki handles the public relations duties for the non-profit organization.
"They got the shot put they're doing, they got the long jump, they got the 50-meter, the 25-meter, the 100-meter, the softball throw..." he says.
Christian Jackson competes for the Placer team. He's entered in three events.
"I kinda like it. I like the competition," he says, "It's not like you're always gonna lose, but..."
Hundreds compete in dozens of events at the VIP Games in Sacramento. Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio
Gary Hall is an assistant coach for the group from the Yuba Sutter area.
"We've been practicing once a week for the last four weeks so they're all antsy," he says, "They got up at 6 a.m., got on the bus and they're like 'Yeah! When's my next heat? When do I do my next thing?'"
Many of the athletes will compete again in two weeks at an event in Roseville.
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