Ari on top of the Acropolis (where the Parthenon is) with Athens in the background

Team USA bowling coach Aristomenis Capogeannis is looking forward to his two worlds coming full circle at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in the historic city of Athens, Greece.

Capogeannis is half Greek. His father was born in Kalamata, Greece, and lived there until 1951 when the family moved to New York. With extended family living between Kalamata and Athens, Capogeannis has experienced Greece in more ways than one. As a child, most summers were spent back in Greece with his family. When he was older, he took a trip backpacking through Greece, studying mythology and working for a yacht company as a deckhand. Through these experiences, he became fluent in the Greek spoken language. His last visit to Greece was approximately 10 years ago.

When asked what he thinks about the Special Olympics World Summer Games being held in Greece, where the Olympic Games originated, Capogeannis summed it up in one word: “fantastic.” Taking great pride in his heritage, he is excited for the chance to re-visit Greece, but even more excited for Team USA members to have the chance to visit a place he considers home.

Ari, his brother Bill and sister Elaine riding a donkey on a visit to Greece as children. Donkeys were the official mode of transportation on some islands at the time.

Capogeannis says his dad and his circle of Greek friends in this country are proud of the fact that Greece was chosen to host the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games. His relatives in Greece are also excited for the Games to come to their country, some making plans to visit Athens at the end of June.

On his backpacking trip studying Greek mythology, Capogeannis visited was the warm and sunny Isle of Rhodes, which will serve as the Host Town for Team USA for a few days prior to the Games. Rhodes is among the most popular of the Greek islands, and he was pleased to learn that Team USA would be staying there, describing it as beautiful and a treat to visit.

An important piece of advice he gives to those from Team USA when visiting Athens is to be patient due to the fast pace of the city and the high volume of people who live in it. The estimated population for Athens alone is close to 3 million people. He looks forward to Team USA members learning about the Greek people and becoming familiar with what is important in a Greek community. “Family is the No. 1 foundation in a Greek community,” he says. “Everything is very family-based, and you put your all and a lot of pride in everything you’re doing.”

Accustomed to volunteering as a high school student, Capogeannis found himself searching for a unique volunteering opportunity to occupy his free time after finishing a master’s program. With coaching experience and an interest in sports, he discovered Special Olympics Northern California and began as a volunteer with the softball program. He said he was soon hooked. Ten years later, he now runs the basketball and bowling programs for South Santa Clara County Special Olympics, in addition to coaching bocce, plus coaching and officiating floor hockey.

Ari (center) with Team USA bowlers Barry Hemphill, Patrick Underly, KJ Frisina and Jeff Jensen

Capogeannis feels his Greek background has contributed to his coaching style, teaching him to value family and take pride in the activities he is involved in, lessons he goes on to teach his athletes as well. He considers the athletes as extended family, saying that these long-lasting friendships are what he enjoys most about volunteering with Special Olympics.

“(Special Olympics) allows me the chance to be able to contribute to something so important,” said Capogeannis. “It gives me the opportunity to unplug from my routine and offer my skills and talents in a new way of helping others.”