DURHAM — Matthew MacNown has been competing in Special Olympics games for 20 years.

He has autism, and he has a message.

“I want to prove that people with disabilities can be great, that disabilities can't bring you down, and we're not lesser people. We can do jobs and be part of society as well,” the 25-year-old athlete from Barrington said with a smile as he prepared for the softball throw competition in Saturday's 43rd annual Special Olympics New Hampshire Summer Games.

More than 950 athletes are participating in this year's games that feature everything from swimming and equestrian competitions to long jumps, bocce and various running and walking contests.

While Saturday's heavy rain disrupted some outdoor competitions at the University of New Hampshire, many of the games were held indoors and there were still plenty of medals and ribbons to be awarded.

Bruce Gatchell, 33, of Raymond, took the gold in the 25-meter wheelchair competition while surrounded by family, friends and volunteers from the Exeter Area Athletes team. He was the only member of the Exeter team to participate in the wheelchair competition.

Exeter High School English teacher Becky Cole volunteers with the team as a way to learn more about what it's like to work with the disabled. She hopes the experience will help her at school as more students with disabilities are being included in regular classroom settings.

“It doesn't get much better than high fives and hugs,” she said.

An athlete with the White Mountain Special Olympics, Rachel Smith, 23, of Whitefield, earned another medal Saturday in the 25-meter walk to add to her growing collection at home.

“They all hang right beside her bed,” said her mother, Patricia Coutermarsh.

This year is Jesse Covill's first time participating in the games. The 20-year-old from Nashua competed in the softball throw, long jump and a 200-meter dash that earned him a bronze medal.

Covill said his basketball coach told him he should try the games because he's fast.

“I'm probably going to do it every year after this,” he said. “For me, it's kind of competitive, but I make it fun.”

The games are also competitive for Nashua athlete Scott McCullough, 36, who's been competing for 28 years.

“It builds up confidence,” said McCullough, who also joined police officers in the Law Enforcement Torch Run on a leg from Nashua to Merrimack. The run benefits Special Olympics New Hampshire.

Exeter High School student Rosie Mack, 16, took third place in the long jump and placed second in the 50-meter run. Her twice-a-week practices at the high school track with student volunteers Katherine Hannon, 18, and Benita Daftari, 17, paid off this year.

“It's nice working with them and watching them get better,” Daftari said.

Mack's mother, Kathy, said that while the athletes are competing, she feels the games are more about giving them a chance to interact and socialize with coaches and others.

“I think the best part is making friends,” she said.

Debbie Nugent of Laconia, whose son, Ian, 20, is a 13-year athlete, said she also enjoys watching her son spending time with friends and teammates.

“It's a great experience for everybody,” she said.