|
|
This Thursday a team of 16
young special Olympians along with their coach’s will fly to Rome in Italy
to take part in Special Olympics European Youth Championships the event
will start on September 30th and run through to October 5th.This will be the first time that a Special Olympics event will be
focused on young people between the ages of 12 and 21. The Youth Games
will involve 1,400 athletes from all 57 Special Olympics National Programs
in the region. These Games will be the largest Special Olympics event ever
organized in Italy.Through
the common language of
sports, the Special Olympics European Youth Games aim to encourage young
people with and without intellectual disabilities to break barriers, forge
new friendships and help build a more welcoming and inclusive society. |
|
Aquatics |
By far Special Olympics strongest event we have so
much talent in this section and some wonderful support from many coach’s
that it was decided to give four up and coming new swimmers a chance to
compete in Rome. The youngest member of the team is 13 year old Katie
Dulson from Ballakermeen High school, Katie won a full set of medals in
the Gateway games gold, silver and bronze, and will enjoy the experience
of Rome along with team mate Lindsey Fox who has all round sporting
ability and will be an athlete to watch.
Two athletes unable to compete in the Gateway Games
due to family holidays were David Hudson from Ramsey Grammer School and
Michelle Cameron from the IOM College all the swimmers will be supported
by to very experienced coaches Becky Macauly and Andy Ramage
|
|
Athletics
|
Two of the
four athletes representing the Island in the Track & Field events in Rome
have already proved their ability both winning gold medals in the Junior
mens
section of this Summers Isle of Man Track & Field Championships at NSC,
John Stevens won the 100 & 200 metres and Gareth Cowin
won the Shot Putt both lads were also members of last years Olympic silver
medal winning Hockey team who performed so heroically in Japan, they will
be joined by newcomers 14 year old Chris Seed who will take part in the
800 & 1500 metres and Katie Saunders who will run in the 100 & 200
metres. All these athletes have trained alongside mainstream athletes at
the NSC
since the turn of the year and have been helped by many local coaches,
when I asked over the internet if anyone could lend them a pair of spikes
I was astonished when so many parents and young athletes turned up with so
many pairs of spikes for the group to use. Local athletics coach Graham
Davies will accompany the athletes at the games. |
|
Bocce |
I have to be honest I had never heard of Bocce until
I joined Special Olympics it’s a cross between curling and bowls. It will
be interesting to see how our two representative Oliver Riddell and Jason
Fox perform, Fox was the Islands Hockey goalkeeper in Japan last year and
this is Riddells first competitive outing for the Island. Special Olympics
treasurer Janet Norbury will support the youngsters during the
competition. |
|
Gymnastics
|
21 year old Paul Clucas will be taking part in his
second European Games he competed in Gronigen, Holland in 2000 and won a
gold and bronze medal, Paul who works in Woolworths will be accompanied by
15 year old newcomer Rebecca Maller from the IOM College, Rebecca was a
member of the junior specials team that won the recent Gateway Games. Both
Gymnasts will be accompanied by one of Special Olympics most experienced
coaches Julie Anderson.
|
|
Ten
pin Bowling
|
Emily Davies later this year will be seen performing
alongside Bob Hoskins when his latest film is released but first along
with team mates Amy Kaighin, David Dinham and Shaun Roberts she will be
determined to win a gold medal in the Bowling team to add to the silver
won in Hockey in Japan. David Dinham missed out on the medals earlier this
year finishing fourth in both dressage and equestrian at Austrian Summer
Games. This is 15 year old Sean Roberts a pupil of Ramsey Grammar Schools
first taste of a major competition whereas the most experienced member of
the team Amy Kaighin will be determined to add another gold to the one she
won in Swimming in the World summer games of 2004 in Ireland. Barry Dulson
one of the hardest working officials of Special Olympics will accompany
them. |
 |
The organiser and the head of the Manx delegation
will be Beryl Wooldridge along with Mick Curran who will assist Head Coach
Graham Davies where needed.
The Special Olympics athletes would like to thank all
the coaches that have helped them and the wonderful support of the Manx
public during their fund raising in helping them make this trip.
|
