AV News: A Bird's Eye View of the 2016 SOMN Celebration Ceremony

AirVuz brings you a closer look at the annual 5k and Celebration Ceremonies at the Special Olympics in Apple Valley, Minnesota!

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For the first time ever, drones were used to showcase the Special Olympics Minnesota. That meant seeing many of the weekend’s events from a new view.
Among the weekend’s big events is the 5K, put on by local law enforcement. Captain Nick Francis is one of the officers from the Apple Valley Police Department who helped host this year’s race.
“A lot of them have worked a full day. Some of them you’ll see running will be in their full work fatigues, just as they would normally for a day of duty when they might get in a foot pursuit. It’ll be difficult, but it’ll be a lot of fun.”
“Officer Francis said about 50 runners will be participating in today’s 5K. I’m going to make it 51.”
The 5K was a perfect transition into that evening’s Celebration Ceremony. There, athletes from all delegations throughout Minnesota entered the ceremony, where an Olympic torch was eventually lit.
The ceremony was hosted by FOX 9 meteorologist Ian Leonard, who has been involved with the Special Olympics since 1997. The brother of Leonard’s best friend growing up had Down Syndrome, and Leonard has felt a connection with the Special Olympics athletes ever since.
Upon arriving at the Celebration Ceremony, Leonard was greeted with a smile by just about everybody. When asked what his favorite part of the Special Olympics is, Leonard answered without hesitation.
“The athletes, there’s no question. Being with the athletes, hanging out with the athletes, being a part of the athlete movement. I think a lot of people know the Special Olympics is about sports. But the movement that happens away from the arenas and the fields and the stadiums is all about advancing the rights of people with disabilities.”
Of course, AirVuz was there to see all the action from a drone, taking dronies with athletes and capturing footage of the Celebration Ceremony.
“I love what you all are doing. … It makes the athletes feel special, too, which is a big part of what we do. ‘Oh my God, we’ve got drones covering us? That’s awesome!’ That’s a big part of this.”
The Celebration Ceremony concluded with a big group dronie of all the athletes and volunteers, as well as Leonard, who was working with the Special Olympics for his 24th year.
“It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever done, and I’ve been involved with a lot in the media. But this is truly the one thing that I don’t even know how to explain. It gets you out of bed in the morning.”

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