Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

MCAS Iwakuni hosts 2019 Special Olympics - Local Japanese athletes and U.S. Marines participate in a soccer game during the 2019 Special Olympics at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 13, 2019. The Special Olympics was held in order to provide Marines and Japanese families volunteer opportunities with each other in a cultural exchange. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Triton Lai)

Athletes pose for a group photo after finishing a duathlon during the Special Olympics Nippon Hiroshima at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 2, 2016. Activities held at the Special Olympics included basketball, futsal, tennis, bowling and a duathlon. The Special Olympics instills confidence, inspires a sense of competition and improves health through the transformative power of sports. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson) - Athletes pose for a group photo after finishing a duathlon during the Special Olympics Nippon Hiroshima at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 2, 2016. Activities held at the Special Olympics included basketball, futsal, tennis, bowling and a duathlon. The Special Olympics instills confidence, inspires a sense of competition and improves health through the transformative power of sports. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)

A Special Olympics athlete competes in a bowling competition during the Special Olympics Hiroshima at the Strike Zone Bowling Center at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 4, 2015. As the last event before the Olympians received their medals, the special Olympics maintained its inspirational tempo by promoting a competitive atmosphere, camaraderie and sportsmanship. - A Special Olympics athlete competes in a bowling competition during the Special Olympics Hiroshima at the Strike Zone Bowling Center at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 4, 2015. As the last event before the Olympians received their medals, the special Olympics maintained its inspirational tempo by promoting a competitive atmosphere, camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Kakuta Shotaro, 16, an experienced Special Olympian, kicks a soccer ball during a game at Penny Lake here Oct. 16. Shotaro didn’t score during the game, but he defended against many offensive plays. He participated in soccer for a majority of the day before all of the competitors went bowling. - Kakuta Shotaro, 16, an experienced Special Olympian, kicks a soccer ball during a game at Penny Lake here Oct. 16. Shotaro didn’t score during the game, but he defended against many offensive plays. He participated in soccer for a majority of the day before all of the competitors went bowling.

A soccer participant shoots the ball into the goal during a Special Olympics game at Penny Lake here Sunday. Approximately 120 athletes from Hiroshima and Yamaguchi Prefecture competed in the event. In total, more than 300 visitors attended the event. More than 60 station members volunteered their time to help support the internationally-recognized event. - A soccer participant shoots the ball into the goal during a Special Olympics game at Penny Lake here Sunday. Approximately 120 athletes from Hiroshima and Yamaguchi Prefecture competed in the event. In total, more than 300 visitors attended the event. More than 60 station members volunteered their time to help support the internationally-recognized event.