Written by Deborah Bonann Schwartz
The Baywatch lifeguards stage a beach-oriented Special Olympics, becoming involved with two young athletes whose parents have abandoned them.
World-class gymnast, Mary Lou Retton, an old friend of Mitch’s and a
tireless charity volunteer, approaches Mitch about staging a Baywatch
Special Olympics. Mitch says yes and the Baywatch lifeguards serve as
coaches and coordinators for the hundreds of developmentally challenged athletes that attend. One boy, Darnell, is particularly emotional and angry, and Mitch strikes up a friendship with him, offering to coach him in a running event. Mary Lou explains that Darnell’s father abandoned him as a toddler and began a new life never telling his second wife about his developmentally-challenged son. Inspired by Darnell’s desire to compete in the games, Mitch teaches him concepts of sportsmanship and friendly competition. Later, when Darnell’s father appears to watch the competition, Stephanie and Mitch urge the man to speak to Darnell. Torn between reuniting with Darnell and telling his new family the truth, Mr. Shepard walks away.
Sammy is a young teenager with a failure complex, stemming from her abandonment as a child. Mary Lou asks Stephanie to spend some time with Sammy, who won’t participate in any of the beach events. Stephanie shares with Sammy that she too was abandoned as a child, inspiring Sammy to compete in the gymnastic events. Mary Lou gives her a special lesson and to Sammy’s amazement, she performs wonderfully. Finally, the championships begin, and Sammy, Darnell, and the other athletes strive to compete and win in their very unique Special Olympics on the beach. In a moving tribute to the influence of Mitch, Stephanie, and Mary Lou, Darnell stops to help a fallen Sammy in the relay race, which Sammy’s team wins! Afterwards, in an emotional reconciliation, Darnell’s father congratulates him, and after many years, Darnell has a father again.
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