Not everyone necessarily always runs in a straight line, and occasionally, an athlete might be escorted back to the track by willing volunteers.

At the finish line is an army of designated "huggers'', shouting encouragement as the athletes make their way along the track and waiting to provide a warm embrace or friendly pat on the back as each competitor steps across that line.

There are no million dollar endorsements for the victorious. There is no agony of defeat for the vanquished. For these are the Special Olympics where just getting out and competing is both a joy and an accomplishment within itself for each competitor.

"Let me win. If I can't win, may I be brave in the attempt,'' some 70 Special Olympians chanted in unison at the start of yesterday's events. If there is one thing the oath of the Special Olympics represents, it is the sense of camaraderie, the unity of purpose and spirit shared by the competitors.

"Sometimes, the person who finishes first goes back and helps the person coming in last,'' said Mr. Alfred Augustus, the original president of the Bermuda Special Olympics in 1971 when it first grew out of efforts by Mrs. Ann Wainwright.

That point was emphasised in opening ceremony remarks made by Premier the Hon.

Sir John Swan.

"It isn't a question of who comes first,'' Sir John said, but more a question of the spirit in which the Special Olympians compete.

"As we open this event, let us open our hearts. Let us open our minds,'' he said. "May we continue to help them carry the torch that you have seen here today.'' The Premier also pointed out a need for more young people participating in the Special Olympics and said at least part of the reason there were not more younger athletes is simply because many parents are reluctant to acknowledge that the facilities for Special Olympians exist.

Bermuda Special Olympics president Miss Valerie Young admits the dwindling number of young competitors could present a growing problem for the organisation as the average age of athletes is now about 40.

"We need to challenge the younger athlete,'' she says. "We don't have any high-functioning athletes right now'' for international competing.

Between 300 and 400 people either participated in yesterday's events at the PHC Stadium grounds or watched.

The Special Olympics programme runs year-round and many of the competitors in yesterday's track and field events had been training for it since January.

"This is the highlight of their training. This is their day,'' Miss Young said.

One of the most rewarding parts of being a Special Olympics volunteer, for Miss Young, is "just watching the expressions on their faces when they compete and finish.

"To them, it doesn't make any difference whether they finish first, last, or tomorrow.'' For Special Olympians Miss Lynn Coad and Miss Chrystal Jones, the object of the day is simply to have fun and work together.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Special Olympics around the world.

HAPPY OLYMPIAN -- Mr. Charlie Burnard receives a hug from Mrs. Winifred Coad as he crosses the finish line after winning the 100 meter walk at yesterday's Special Olympics at PHC Stadium.