About 400 athletes will compete in Northwestern’s 27th annualSpecial Olympics Spring Games on Sunday, the oldest student-rungames in the nation.

Today marks the end of a week-long countdown that includedevents like a party at The Keg, a free showing of the movie”Rainman” and a coffee house at Unicorn Caf� featuring NU acappella groups.

Volunteer Coordinator Emily Lewington said she hoped the eventsencouraged students to volunteer at the games, which will begin at9 a.m. Sunday at J. Sterling Morton West High School in Berwyn,Ill..

Athletes will compete in a softball throw, shot put and othertrack events. Buses leaving from Cahn Auditorium and Sargent Hallat 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. will shuttle NU students toMorton High.

Lewington, a Weinberg senior, said she expects about 200 studentvolunteers to help out with the games, including an assortment ofstudent group members and NU athletes.

“Special Olympics athletes love interacting with the (NU)athletes,” she said. “They actually get to throw around a footballwith a (NU) football player — they think that’s the greatestthing.”

Executive Co-chairwoman Melanie Bronheim, a Communicationsenior, said she was motivated to get involved in Special Olympicsbecause she has an uncle with Down Syndrome.

“It’s such a thrill to go to the games and see how excited theathletes are about their accomplishments,” she said. “It’sdefinitely what I will remember most about my experience at(NU).”

NU students can volunteer for a variety of tasks like measuringdistances for throwing events, manning booths at the Olympic Towncarnival or cheering on the athletes.

Although they get a strong response from students, Lewingtonsaid they can always use more volunteers.

She said the most rewarding part of Special Olympics isinteracting with the athletes.

“It’s a great experience to see an athlete prepare for the eventthroughout the year and then get to compete,” Lewington said. “Ilove seeing the smile on their faces. That just makes my day.”