With strains of Rupert Holmes' "Escape: The Pina Colada Song" lifting in the cold afternoon air, the 10 skaters stepped onto the ice at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center.

On the same ice in 1983, U.S. ladies figure skating champion Rosalynn Sumners went through a practice session for the national championships at the then-Civic Arena, on her way to a silver medal in the 1984 Winter Olympics.

And so it was that last weekend, Olympians were there again.

The Allegheny County Special Olympics program runs 21 training sites in 14 sports, holding 18 competitions. Saturday, amid the glitz and sparkle normally associated with figure skating, there also were giggles and waves during the warm-up session for the county championship.

"I've been in Special Olympics for 24 years -- swimming, track and field -- but skating is my passion," said Mt. Lebanon's CeCe Wagner, 37.

Miss Wagner is an old pro, having participated in both local and state competitions. Her dream, she said, is to be selected to compete in next winter's international games in Boise, Idaho.

Although she skated both singles and pairs with Green Tree's David Mulgrave, 40, last weekend, the two will also compete in ice dancing at the state games in Johnstown Feb. 24-27.

Before the competition last weekend, she admitted to being a little nervous, but "I know this rink, I grew up here.

"All the people who work here know me and they're treating me like a queen."

Mt. Lebanon is the site of Saturday morning training that runs from the beginning of November through mid-February. Marie Mueller, a Special Olympics state board member who also volunteers as a skating coach, said Miss Wagner also works on the Pennsylvania management team.

"[The athletes] truly do have input."

Fourteen Special Olympians took part in the Saturday morning practice sessions, although four weren't quite ready to skate in last weekend's competition. At any rate, said Kathy Guy, director of the Allegheny County Special Olympics program, just getting out on the ice is a big achievement.

"Skating can be very frustrating, the first time, for anyone," she said. "When you see them progress from working with two volunteers, to one, to the walker, to skating on their own, each advancement is such a joy."

Mr. Mulgrave, who began skating at the age of 10 at Monroeville Mall, said he practices every day. He and Miss Wagner, who performed to music from "The Lion King," said the whole point of the competition was "to go out there and have fun."

Dressed in matching navy pants and tops, the pairs skaters went with a refined sportswear look. Others, such as Ellen Siciliano, who grew up in Baldwin, tried for a bit more flash.

Her sweater sported a dazzling yoke of silver sequins, with pink and purple bric-a-brac accents at the sleeves.

Not only did Miss Siciliano skate in the singles competition, she had the honor of reading the athlete oath in the opening ceremonies.

Ms. Wagner and Mr. Mulgrave were winners in the pairs. Miss Wagner also won the ladies' singles while Wendy Zimmerman, of Coraopolis, was second, and Jennifer Miller, from the North Hills, was third. Mr. Mulgrave also won the men's single competition.

Many of the volunteers who help coach, including students, joined parents and friends afterward for an elaborate reception at the rink.

Bunches of red, white and blue star-shaped mylar balloons decorated tables laden with food and desserts. And of course, there were flowers -- on the tables and in bouquets for the skaters.

"They also get medals," said Mrs. Guy. "We treat it like it's a national competition."