Special day for Special Olympics athletes in Lafayette

LAFAYETTE, Calif. (KGO) -- There was a very special moment Tuesday at a Special Olympics competition in the East Bay.

For the first time in the history of the Bay Area games, athletes with intellectual disabilities were paired with non-disabled athletes to compete in a relay race.

Organizers say teaming up the students builds friendship and understanding.

More than 550 students took part in Tuesday's games at Acalanes High School in Lafayette.

The special education students who competed took part in a 24-week training program that put them on teams with non-disabled students.