Two hundred special Olympians compete at Vance Published April 3, 2013 VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Two hundred special Olympians participated at the 44th Cherokee Strip Area 6 Special Olympics held March 28 at Vance Air Force Base. More than 200 Team Vance volunteers helped organize the Olympians, feed them, cheer them on and everything else needed to make the event a success, said Capt. John Powers, the Vance coordinator for the Special Olympics this year. The Olympians, ranging in age from grade school to over 50, competed in 16 events, ranging from the 100-meter walk to the TurboJav throw. The athletes competed for ribbons and recognition from their fellow Olympians, coaches, family and volunteers. The Vance support was three months in the planning, said Powers, a member of the 3rd Flying Training Squadron. "The paperwork got started in December and meetings began in January." This is the 24th time the Area 6 Special Olympics were held on base.