Gallery: Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies

Participants, volunteers and family members march in a parade during the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

Participants, volunteers and family members march in a parade during the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

A total of 250 police officers lead the torchbearer during the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

Joe Vanvoorhis, 37, from Logan County holds his homemade torch at the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

Don Stenta, recreational sports director at OSU, speaks at the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

A marcher holds up his medal in the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies parade June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

The Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies took place June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

Participants, volunteers and family members march in a parade during the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

Participants, volunteers and family members march in a parade during the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

Participants, volunteers and family members march in a parade during the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

Spectators watch the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

A marcher participates in the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies parade June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

Participants, volunteers and family members march in a parade during the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

A marcher participates in the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies parade June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

Participants, volunteers and family members march in a parade during the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

A mascot marches in the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies parade June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

Participants, volunteers and family members march in a parade during the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

Brian Good, 43, of Lake Deepwood County, dances to the songs in the field at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium during the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

Torchbearers Jessie Jirousek, 22, from Cleveland Metropolitan Schools (left) and Chrissy Motz, 21, from Streetsboro prepare to light the flame at the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 in OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

Balloons are released during the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

Jessie Jirousek, 22, from Cleveland Metropolitan Schools lights the Flame of Hope during the Ohio Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies June 27 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium Credit: Muyao Shen / Lantern reporter

The Ohio Special Olympics held its annual summer games at Ohio State from June 27-29. More than 2,500 athletes from Ohio competed in 11 sports, including aquatics, track and field, bocce, bowling, cycling, gymnastics, powerlifting, roller skating, soccer, tennis and volleyball, according to the Special Olympics Ohio website. The games officially kicked off Friday with the Opening Ceremonies at Jesse Owens Stadium, and the events took place in various locations around OSU’s campus, Sawmill Lanes and United Skates of America.