Team USA Arrives in Baltimore!
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All of Team USA converged on Baltimore Saturday. Athletes and coaches who flew in came through Baltimore Washington International Airport and were assisted by BWI’s Pathfinder volunteers. FedEx trucks were on hand to load up our rolling duffel bags and equipment bags to ensure all of our luggage makes it onto the correct airplane to Greece.
Everyone then headed to the hotels to meet up with their sports teams. There were a lot of smiles, high fives and hugs as teammates from across the country were reunited. The afternoon was spent catching up, relaxing and preparing for the evening’s Sendoff.
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The Sendoff began with the traditional Parade of Athletes, with each group breaking through a banner bearing its sport’s name. The program got underway with emcees Jen Franciotti from WBAL-TV and Tom Waite of Special Olympics Maryland. Cheerleaders from Special Olympics Maryland pumped up the crowd, and Special Olympics Maryland CEO Pat Fegan welcomed the team to the state with an array of fun local facts and history. Maryland athlete Alex Barnes performed the National Anthem on his saxophone as Maryland Transportation Authority Police presented the colors. Aquatics athlete Rebecca Stelpflug from Wisconsin led the athlete oath.
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Team USA showed its appreciation for sponsors with banner and plaque presentations. The official partners of Team USA are P&G, American Federation of Teachers and Bank of America. The official suppliers are Champion, MTM Recognition and Loudmouth, who provided the houndstooth shorts everyone was wearing.
On Sunday, we will eat our final meal in the United States and head to the airport to catch our planes to Isle of Rhodes!
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