Nearly 400 intellectually challenged athletes had their day in the sun Tuesday, filling the track at the National Stadium with joy and accomplishment. As the Royal Barbados Police Force Band set the stage with music, the teams paraded around track for the opening ceremony, which included the lighting of the Special Olympics Torch.
At the annual meet, which is the central event on the Special Olympics Barbados calendar, participants from 14 special units across the nation joined independent athletes to put forth their very best performances. They were rewarded, not only with cheers from the stands but also, with medals and ribbons. In keeping with the Special Olympics Athlete Oath, "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt," all participants are winners and receive either medals or ribbons.
The four athletes who won Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals at last year’s Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece did not disappoint the spectators. Nikita Maycock, Merwyn Lorde, Korey Kellman and Natalie Daniel blazed the track in their usual form. The meet events included 800, 400, 200, 100 and 50 metre runs, standing long jump, softball throw, 4x100 metre relays and the wheelchair race.
In addition to the independent competitors, the athletes, ranging in age from 8 years to older participants in their 40’s, came from All Saints Primary Special Unit, Ann Hill School, Challenor Creative Arts Training Centre, Charles F. Broome Special Unit, Albert Cecil Graham Development Centre, Eagle Hall Primary Annex, Elayne Scantlebury Centre, Ellerton Primary Annex, Erdiston Special School, Hilda Skeene Primary, St. Matthews Primary Annex, The Learning Centre, Thelma Vaughn Memorial Home and Sunshine Early Stimulation Centre. Dedicated teachers and coaches, who have committed themselves to the successful integration of their students into the sports community and larger society, take part in all the Special Olympics athletic events, giving encouragement and guidance.
Special Olympics National Games competitions in aquatics, bocce, football and senior track and field have now been completed, but there is still more to come. The Police Sports club at Weymouth will come alive on March 27 for the Special Olympics National Games Cricket Tournament. The Special Olympics National Games Junior Track and Field Meet, featuring the youngest competitors, was postponed due to weather conditions and will be held at a date to be announced.
Special Olympics depends on the compassion of corporate entities, government and individuals in order to serve the intellectually challenged. Each year, the organisation honors those who have given of themselves to benefit the athletes and programmes of Special Olympics. At the National Track and Field Meet, Andrew Barton (AB Signs), Maintenance & Construction Services, Ltd., SBI Distribution and Sound Wave Audio Systems, Inc. received special awards for their support.
