Local basketball team Lady Divas going for gold at Special Olympics

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (KABC) -- Special Olympics has empowered athletes through sports for decades.

"There's a misconception that people with intellectual disabilities don't want to train, don't want to compete, aren't fierce... and they are," said Wendy Ellet, senior manager of Special Olympics Southern California.

Coach Scott Norton started his position because his wife saw an ad and suggested he become Special Olympics basketball coach. Teaching these athletes has been the right fit for him for nearly two decades.

"They're so loving. They just care about the sport, they want to get better, they want to improve," he said.

"We are definitely divas!" said athlete Kate Mooy.

The Lady Divas are one of three teams that will be playing for gold at the Special Olympics Summer Games Championships in Long Beach in early June.

"It's a lot of fun," said another athlete Lindsay Kautiainen, who saw a dream fulfilled recently when she got to meet WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark.