Special Olympics teams prep for Ireland games

By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Steven Smith of Kane'ohe, practicing his free-style strokes at the Kamehameha Schools pool, will be part of the U.S. swim team at the international games. Photos by Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Swim coach Dale Burke (diving) works with Special Olympics competitors training at the Kamehameha Schools pool.

Special Olympics Hawaii To find out more about the organization's programs, or to volunteer, call 943-8808 or visit specialolympicshawaii.org.

The outgoing 18-year-old has been competing in Special Olympic events since he was 13 years old. The exact sport doesn't necessarily matter. He's solid in basketball and soccer; he's exceptional at track.

What really matters is the program itself, a program that has allowed the developmentally challenged athlete blossom into someone unafraid of challenges.

Martin is one of 13 athletes from Hawai'i who will represent the United States at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, in June. He and his teammates gathered for the first time this weekend for a special three-day training session. The athletes trained at Kamehameha Schools' Kapalama campus and boarded at the University of Hawai'i.

"The camp serves two purposes," said Dan Epstein, vice president of sports for Special Olympics Hawaii. "One is to give the coaches a chance to work intensely with the athletes. The other is to see how the athletes do away from home without their family and friends."

The Hawai'i contingent is made up of eight swimmers and five track-and-field athletes. Martin, a compact distance runner, will compete in the 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter runs.

"I'm just hoping to do my best," Martin said.

While Martin's personal life has been marked with more than its share of troubles — he was homeless for six months — his time with the Special Olympics has helped give him the confidence to keep moving.

Martin's selection to Team USA — he qualified for the international competition by a random drawing after winning his division at the last summer games — is part of a recent string of good turns. He recently found a place to live in Waikiki and is just starting a new job.

"I pray to God all the time," he said.

Martin's track teammates include two athletes from Hilo, Patricia Carter, 15, and Peter Hickman, 21, along with Sean Hively, 23, and Jolyn Imoto, 18, from Honolulu.

The swim team includes Jody Ann Cambra, 21, from Maui, and O'ahu athletes Franz Knorr, 22, Shannon Lum, 31, Steven Smith, 24, Daniel Kam, 19, Lindsey Curb, 18, Norine Ng, 31, and Stephanie Zane, 35.

"Our goal is for everyone to set new PRs (personal records) and enjoy the games," said aquatics coach Dale Burke.

Like his fellow coaches Rae Oshiro and David Kohara, Burke is volunteering his time to help the athletes hone their skills. He started coaching 13 years ago when his son Brian began competing.

"A lot of special-needs kids don't get enough to do physically," Burke said. "Special Olympics allows them to do something physical, and there's a lot of socialization, too."