ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - A group of local athletes received a celebratory sendoff Friday morning on their way to a state competition.

Community members and local leaders came out to cheer on Special Olympics athletes from Albany as they traveled to Atlanta to compete in dance, track and field events like race walking, and volleyball.

Albany Parks and Recreation rolled out the red carpet with recognition, encouragement, and dancing. The Albany Police Department and the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office gave them a motorcade escort.

Parks and Rec Director Steven Belk said it’s important for the community to see their tax dollars being used responsibly.

“One thing they clearly see, that their resources are being put to use, and they see the outcomes of it,” Belk said. “And when you see that kind of engagement, it’s the validation. It’s the validation and confirmation that the resources, that the time, that the energy, it is working.”

The competition runs two days at Emory University, where the athletes will also stay in the dorms.

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