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Wednesday, June 4, 2008 More than 500 attend sports event for children with disabilities Erin Donaghue | Staff Writer
Laurie DeWitt⁄The Gazette Danny Fitzgerald, 6, of Rockville gets a special visit from Olie Kolzig of the Washington Capitals at the KEEN Greater D.C.’s seventh annual sports festival in Potomac Sunday. 
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Olie Kolzig of the Washington Capitals was on hand in Potomac this weekend to hand out medals to athletes that participated in a sports festival organized by KEEN, a sports group for children with developmental disabilities.
More than 500 athletes, friends and family attended the event.
KEEN Greater D.C., which stands for Kids Enjoy Exercise Now, held its seventh annual sports festival at Hadley Park on Sunday. Children and young adults with disabilities such as spinal bifida, cerebral palsy, autism and Down Syndrome got a chance to show off their physical skills through a game of tug of war, playing on an obstacle course, and catching rides on a tire swing.
Each athlete was paired with a volunteer coach to lend a helping hand.
Children also got a chance to speak to friends and family about their ‘‘prouds” – or accomplishments during the day they were proud of – after which they were rewarded with the medals.
KEEN, a nonprofit group, was formed in 1992 and provides free programs that include swimming, bowling, fitness, tennis and music to participants. KEEN is a national group, but has local programs in Montgomery County, Fairfax County, and Southeast Washington.
Kolzig, who has a son with autism, is also a founding member of Athletes Against Autism.
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