Adrian DeWendt, executive director of Special Olympics Oklahoma, said during Friday and Saturday sessions, 2,100 athletes competed in volleyball, basketball and bowling. That's about 300 more athletes than last year.

He said about 1,600 athletes competed both days in bowling.

"It's the second most popular sport in Special Olympics," he said.

DeWendt said Special Olympics doesn't receive funding from state or federal sources.

"Typically, Special Olympics raises 100 percent of its money from private donations," DeWendt said.

But Project Unified was the exception. Special Olympics drives the program with federal funds from the Department of Education, he said.

DeWendt said the project is a nationwide campaign. The idea is to help everyone in school systems with intellectual disabilities.

Yukon and Muskogee Public Schools are the first school systems in the state to introduce the program, he said.

"We're hoping it fosters growth in other school systems," DeWendt said.

He said Project Unified kicked off this school year.

"It's win-win for the community, school systems and Special Olympics of Oklahoma," DeWendt said.

Meghan McCormick

366-3539

mmccormick@normantranscript.com