Boothbay Region Special Olympic swimmers Ronda LeConte and Amber Hyson have been practicing many times a week across Maine to prepare for the June 5-12 National Special Olympics Games in Orlando, Florida. Hyson and LeConte are among 50 Maine Special Olympians competing in swimming, tennis, bocce, bowling, golf and track and field. The athletes will be joined by their coaches and a head of delegation as well as unified partners and U.S. Youth Ambassadors.

LeConte will swim the 50m breaststroke and 50m backstroke and Hyson the 25m free and 25m back. Both athletes will compete in the relays.

The festivities begin June 3 when the Maine teams gather in Portland to prepare for the journey. “Several team meetings have been canceled because of slow games information and uniform delays due to the pandemic,” said Coach Toby LeConte. “(However), all will be up to speed for a very exciting time.”

Before closing ceremonies, athletes will have several hours in Disney World as another highlight to their trip and Hyson and LeConte plan to visit the Animal Kingdom, said Coach LeConte.

“All the training is nearly complete and the girls are excited.”