SCHENECTADY — Family, friends and teammates stood in bleachers, yelled from the sidelines and paced the length of the pool deck to cheer on more than 600 competitors Sunday, who ran, swam and shot hoops not just with athleticism, but also with heart.

Six hours of whirlwind activity took place at Schenectady High School for the 2008 Capital Region area Special Olympics Summer games, which are pre-qualifiers for the central region summer games June 7 in Albany, and the state summer games June 12 in Binghamton. In Schenectady Sunday, good sportsmanship was everywhere, from hugs to high-fives to admiring each other’s dangling medals.

“I was always good at sports, but today I get to show it off,” Joe Spinella said, with a pair of medals hanging from his neck as he stood outside the gymnasium where heated basketball games were under way. “I trained a long time for this and it paid off.”

A full slate of summer sports events took place at several venues at the school, ranging from aquatics to weight lifting to relay races. Athletes from northern, central, southwestern New York and the Hudson Valley as well as the Capital District were supported by 200 coaches and 300 volunteers.

“This is so completely different from any other event,” said Bill Collins, Special Olympics training director. “People volunteer and then thank us for allowing them to be part of this. Everyone has a true athletic spirit; not one person here will complain about the weather or the price of gas; it’s all about doing your personal best.”

To prepare for the games, competitors ages 8 to 80 train for two months with 50 certified coaches.

“This isn’t a field day; it’s real sports,” Collins said. “If you’re out on the track at the starting line, and you jump the gun three times, you’re eliminated. They learn the tough life lessons of training and trying hard.”

More than 65,000 athletes across New York State take part in fall, winter and summer Olympics in 22 sports.

Collins said all program participants have cognitive challenges, and many also have physical limitations.

“No one sees them as being different,” Collins said. “What’s different is their level of pride. When they take third place, squeeze you so hard you can’t breathe.”

Gold, silver and bronze medals are given out, followed by fourth and fifth place ribbons, and everyone gets a participation ribbon.

Ann Marie Hutchins took third place in the softball throw.

“You have to know how to throw it straight,” Hutchins said.

Arthur Scott Heisel shared his secret to his success after a 50-meter run in track and field.

“Good sneakers help,” Heisel said. “I got tired, but my friends said I looked great. I’m going to keep on training instead of resting this summer.”

Tammy Johnson coaches a team of 15 people from St. Lawrence county.

“It’s easy to work with these guys because they have more patience and listen,” Johnson said.

Schuylerville High School student Tori Rotchford, who plays tennis and is a competitive dancer, was one of the hundreds of volunteers at the event.

“It’s a very positive atmosphere, and it’s easy to be swept up by it all,” Rotchford said. “I know how difficult it is to train, and it’s inspiring to watch them.”

Special Olympics was organized in the state of New York in 1969.

Headquartered in Schenectady with regional offices across the state, Special Olympics New York is a privately funded not-for-profit 501(c)3 agency that raises its operating budget through the support of individuals, corporations and foundations.

Special Olympics New York does not charge its athletes or their families to participate.