Special Olympian shows joy at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian shows joy at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone

Some 300 athletes from as far as Riverside took part in tennis, baseball and soccer Saturday as the Special Olympics‘ San Diego Regional Fall Games came to Rancho Bernardo.

Special Olympian signals pleasure at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian signals pleasure at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone

Part of a circuit of competitions for the developmentally disabled, the event at the Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center saw visits from county Supervisor Dave Roberts, former Padres pitching great Randy Jones and police who took part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The torch run, modeled after the one ending at the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, takes place present in all 50 U.S. states, Canadian provinces and 46 nations with 97,000 officers around the world, according to organizers.

The Southern California torch run raised $1.7 million in 2015 with participants from 200 agencies.

Founded in 1968 by President John Kennedy’s sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Western/California Regional Chapter was launched by Olympic decathlon gold medalist Rafer Johnson in 1969.

Regional Fall Games continue with events Nov. 12-13 at Fountain Valley Sports Park and Dec. 4 at the Rinks at Huntington Beach Inline & Fountain Bowl.

Special Olympian shows joy during ther Opening Ceremonies at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian Savannah Salazar eyes flame the Opening Ceremonies at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Ken from DEA and Special Olympian Savannah Salazar carry the olympic flame at the Opening Ceremonies of the fall games at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian plays tennis at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian plays tennis at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian Heidi Sand plays tennis at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian Danny Hayes plays tennis at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian Danny Hayes shows joy after making a point in tennis at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympians are shown support at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian shows joy after his team won a soccer game at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian runs the bases at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian lands on home base after running the bases at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympians exchange well wishes at at the end of a softball game at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
A Special Olympian expresses joy after hitting a softball at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympians play soccer at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian Wyatt, 11, signals pleasure at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian Wyatt, 11, celebrates at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympians had family and friends at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian celebrates at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
From left: Miss Junior Teen Poway Soliana Perez, Miss Poway Dakota Lake Nank and Miss Teen Poway Princess Arella Hill took part in medal ceremonies at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympians enter the field for the Opening Ceremonies at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Former Padres pitching great Randy Jones (left) and county Supervisor Dave Roberts attended Special Olympics Fall Games. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympians shot for goals at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympians won medals at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympians won medals at the Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Baseball was one of three sports at Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian Makayla, 9, gets a hug from her soccer coach, Tony Piccirillo. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian celebrates at Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympian signals at Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone
Special Olympians Matthew, (left) and Murilo celebrate at Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center. Photo by Chris Stone