Special Olympic Athletes Get Send Off
Prime minister David Cameron met a team of Special Olympics GB athletes to wish them luck before they head off to represent Great Britain in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens later this month.
??The seven athletes representing Special Olympics GB at Downing Street will join a team of 150 other learning disabled athletes on Sunday 19th June when they depart for the Special Olympics World Summer Games.
They will be joined by 58 volunteer coaches, and will compete against 7,000 athletes from 180 countries.??
The year’s largest multi sport event in the world celebrates the abilities and accomplishments of children and adults with learning disabilities.??
Special Olympics Great Britain is the country’s largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with learning disabilities, transforming lives through sport.
Athletes have continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.??
Karen Wallin chief executive of Special Olympics Great Britain said: ‘This week the country was shocked by the reports of unbelievable scenes of abuse at a home for the learning disabled. Just imagine how much this happens throughout the country – all the incidents that are not filmed!’
‘Our athletes have had to overcome a lifetime of bullying and challenges because they are different. Today we get to celebrate their ability and not their disability. Meeting the Prime Minister is a once in a lifetime experience and one they will carry with them in their hearts and minds as they proudly represent the country on a world stage’.??
Joining the athletes at Downing Street were London 2012 hopeful Beth Tweddle, former English sprinter athlete Darren Campbell and Special Olympics GB president Lawrie McMenemy MBE.??
Beth Tweddle added: ‘I understand the emotional and physical dedication that goes into being an athlete and I want to wish the GB team the very best. I hope they enjoy their experience, it’s a magical event to be part of and always and honor to represent your country at any level’.
??The squad will compete in 17 out of the 22 sports disciplines offered including: Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Cycling, Equestrian, Football (including Unified Football), Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Kayaking, Powerlifting, Sailing, Table Tennis, Tennis and Ten Pin Bowling. ??
Each team member was chosen for their dedication to sport and their qualifying scores at the Special Olympics National Summer Games 2009 in Leicester.
