The third annual Special Olympic Development Games kicked off Friday night with the opening ceremonies being held at the Yukon Inn.

A capacity crowd packed into the Fireside Room and cheered on over thirty athletes as they celebrated the opening of the Games.

"Being part of the Special Olympics Yukon has given me a real sense of belonging,” said Sidney Stewart, an athlete who has been involved with the Games for 14 years.

"It's never been about winning but being part of a group and having fun.”

On Saturday the athletes headed to the Canada Games Centre where they spent the morning learning different sports and in the afternoon competed in a modified track and field event.

The ceremonies on Friday night were brimming with enthusiasm and excitement as the athletes, divided into three teams, celebrated the opportunity to showcase their skills.

"I'm excited for them, it's a chance to get together and show their stuff,” said Elaine Taylor.

"A lot of these athletes have competed on the national stage so they do us very proud.”

In fact, many of the athletes have medaled on the national stage. At the 2010 Special Olympic Summer Games in London, Ont., Team Yukon returned with 12 medals.

The development games place a larger focus on the athletes experiencing different sports and competing in a large group, rather than individual performance.

"It's made me feel like I can take on the world,” said Stewart. "I lost weight, got fit and met friends. It's made my life so much better.”

Jim Tucker, Special Olympics Yukon president, said the games are vitally important to the community.

"It gives the athletes an opportunity to spread their interests, gives us an opportunity to showcase what we do and also increases public awareness about the Special Olympics.”

"It's not about shaving off one tenth of a second off your time or to come out in your high tech sports gear,” Mayor Bev Buckley told the crowd.

"You are there to have fun and share some really good times together and that's what the sporting event should be about.”

Ryan Leef, conservative MP and an accomplished athlete in his own right was impressed with Friday's event.

"I've been to a lot of opening ceremonies for international and national competitions,” he said.

"And I've never been to an opening ceremonies that's been this much fun in my life.”

"The Special Olympics program has been fantastic over the years,” he said. "It's a great opportunity for the athletes to put their talent on display for the people that mean so much to them.”