Special Olympics athletes will make a big splash this Tuesday when they gather at the Aquatic Centre in Wildey for the Special Olympics Barbados National Games Aquatics Meet. The public is invited come out and cheer the intellectually challenged participants in the event, which is free of charge.
 
Among those in the pool will be the athletes who have been selected for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, to be held in Los Angeles, California from July 25 to August 2. Joining head coach Adelle Price, for participation in the biggest sports and humanitarian event in the world in 2015, will be swimmers Jay-Tee Brathwaite, Cofi Cadogan, Dion Ellyatt and Abbygaile Meyers. The alternates named for the World Games team are Davio Harding and Simpson Paige.
 
The swimmers are among 26 Barbados athletes selected for the Special Olympics World Games, which will host 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches from 177 countries. In addition to aquatics, the athletes from Barbados will compete in the disciplines of athletics (track and field), bocce, golf and soccer (seven-a-side football).
 
Getting a full Barbados team to Los Angeles is an expensive undertaking, and the corporate and private citizens of Barbados can help them make the trip by contributing to the “Digicel Road to the World Games Fund” at CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, account number 1001111009. Donations can also be made by filling the tins placed in various Digicel and other cooperating business locations island-wide.
 
Event: Special Olympics Barbados National Games Aquatics Meet
Date and time: Tuesday, March 31; 9:00 am
Venue: The Aquatic Centre, Wildey
Admission: Free
 
*Photo tag: "Athlete Dion Ellyatt, selected for the Special Olympics World Games and swimming in the Special Olympics Barbados National Games Aquatics Meet, gives a big smile and a big thumbs-up for victory.”
 
NOTE TO NEWS AND MEDIA OUTLETS:  Special Olympics spokespersons are eager to share information about Special Olympics Barbados and its programmes.  To arrange interviews please contact: Edward Thompson: Phone: (246) 423 0967 or (246) 825-0021 (cell); E-mail: yanquibajan@gmail.com or publicrelations@specialolympicsbarbados.org
Special Olympics Barbados, Arbor House, #23 James Street, Bridgetown, Barbados, (246) 426 9064
Website: www.specialolympicsbarbados.org