With 17 teams and 200 athletes hitting fields and arenas in York Region today, the excitement was contagious.

Today athletes arrived from all over for the Ontario Special Olympics.

“It's fun,” says North Bay player Diane Woods, who adds she’s happy to be there. “I like soccer.”

And the athletes weren't the only ones pumped for the events. York Regional Police was holding soccer games July 11, 2013.

“It's a lot of pride that we can give back both to the community and to Ontario,” says Bruce West, York Regional Police Superintendent. “Ii mean this is the second time York Regional Police have been involved. It's an honour and a privilege to be involved with these special athletes.”

John Bedard travelled from Ottawa to watch his daughter play. For him, this event is about more than a game.

“There are so many barriers out there for those kids so this is great,” says Bedard, who was watching his daughter on the Thunder Bay team. “They play amongst each other and they are all having fun and no one cares about the score and that's it, that's the bottom line.”

Coaches couldn't agree more.

“It's almost beyond description,” says North Bay’s soccer team head coach Ralph Neuber. “It gives them a chance to get out and play with people who don't judge them. They feel equal, they're happy. You can just see the gratification that they got an opportunity.”

A group of Barrie police officers was also there, along with the OPP and York police. Events kicked off with a torch run that started at Orillia’s OPP General Headquarters early this morning. It’s a joint-forces relay that began in 2007 with the death of Det. Const. Rob Plunkett.

It was handed off between different detachments as it made its way to the opening ceremonies.

At many sites, the athletes were already hitting the fields, pumped and ready to go.

“It's my first time here and I think I'm going to enjoy it because it's my first time and I am a good goalie and I hope I do well,” says Kingston player Charlie Thompson.

These Special Olympic Games run until Saturday. And you can come see all kinds of sports including rhythmic gymnastics, golf, baseball and track and field events at locations all around York Region.