The Special Olympics created an inclusive world with the purpose of ending discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities, they also brought together a community with a love of sports and competition at the LSU parade grounds.

The Special Olympics College Club was started after founder Ava Benfiglio saw the impact of the Special Olympics in surrounding places.

With a large population of disabled people in Baton Rouge, it was evident that LSU needed to host a special olympics.

“There’s really not many types of things like this, like activities like this for them to do. So just having more activities for special needs people to come to, it’s really amazing,” Benfiglio said.

Disabled students often feel disregarded, leaving them with slim opportunities and a reason to feel different. However, this event allowed kids to develop their skills in a secure setting allowing them to make new friends.

“..How they lighten up when they get like their abilities that they’re really good at and when they start getting good they get really excited. And they just have a bunch of new friends; I just love seeing how happy it makes them all the time,” Benfiglio said.

The Olympics included a variety of games and activities that accommodated students at their skill level and mobility, leaving athletes with a smile on their face.

“My favorite was Football..because I love football,” competing athlete Rhett Benfiglio said.

The Special Olympics College club is continuously growing and hoping to create more Olympic events during the year. LSU students can volunteer with the club to build a secure environment for disabled students.