This week, Rowan County is home to about 125 Special Olympics athletes from seven different countries who will compete in the 10th annual Special Olympics World Games in Raleigh. The games offer competitors the opportunity to visit many counties throughout North Carolina that volunteered for the Host Town Program. Athletes will practice at various locations throughout Rowan and participate in special planned events.

The games will start in Carter Finley Stadium in Raleigh on Saturday and continue through July 4, the first time the world renown event has ever been held in North Carolina.

The athletes, appropriately dressed in their red, white and blue warm-up suits, had difficulty understanding the questions and friendly messages local residents tried to convey, but one thing was certain — a smile is universal.

Every time a volunteer greeted an athlete with a smile, it was instantly returned. Several organizations and individuals knew the importance of the event and wanted to take part.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and it will never be here again,” said volunteer Dick Smith, “at least not in my lifetime.”

Smith was one of about 14 Salisbury Civitan members assisting Rowan’s visitors in whatever capacity needed this morning. The Salisbury club raised $1,570 to absorb the cost of the athletes stay in Abernathy Hall at Catawba College. Other county Civitan Clubs will also participate during the week by sponsoring dinners or assisting with practices.

The highlight of the morning was a petite, dark-haired girl smiling, giggling and hugging everyone she came in contact with. Amalya Zeinalova, also spoke very little English, but greeted everyone with a huge toothy smile. Volunteers flocked around the petite 105-pound woman, who is an accomplished powerlifter. And as she greeted and hugged them, she gave many a special pin that displayed a symbol of friendship.

It was obvious that language was a problem for Amalya and her coach, Samourkhan Djiguerkhanov, also from Azerbaijan, but they answered questions as best they could, and always with a smile. Amalya, who didn’t look a day over 15, managed to communicate to volunteers that she is 20 and can lift 120 pounds, which stunned everyone.

“She’s a special girl, and everyone just fell in love with her,” said Liz Tennent, transportation coordinator for Rowan Transit System, which provided transportation for athletes to practices and planned events.