
TEAM HIGHLAND AT THE OPENING CEREMONY - BATH 2013
The Special Olympics World Games are held every 4 years, and 2 years prior to each, Special Olympics GB host the National Summer Games, at which regions from all over Great Britain send squads to compete. From the National Games the squad to represent Great Britain at the World Games is selected.
Highland Disability Sport is an affiliated member of Special Olympics GB, and as such is invited to send teams to Special Olympics events. Team Highland are regulars at the Special Olympics GB National Games, and have in the past had athletes selected to represent Great Britain at the World Games, winning gold , silver and bronze medals in both team and individual events.
The 2013 National Summer Games took place at Bath University from 28th August until 1st September. 1700 athletes, 600 coaches, 120 sports officials, 500 volunteers, and 3500 family members & friends descended on Bath University to participate in Britain’s largest sports event taking place this year. 12 regions sent delegations to take part in the 12 sports available, and Team Highland competed with their squad of 52 athletes and 28 coaches representing 6 sports – athletics, boccia, bowls, football, golf & swimming. Janet Home was Head of Delegation, assisted by Lesley Jones and Sue Banks.
Many supermarket bags were packed during the fundraising, and Highland Disability Sport was fortunate to receive financial assistance from Highland Council Ward Discretionary Budgets, Northern Counties Lady Bowlers and the Volunteer Action Fund to assist with raising the cost of sending to squad to participate.
The Games once again gave Highland the opportunity to show off its sporting prowess, and the squad took home 61 medals in total – 22 gold, 18 silver and 21 bronze - with an amazing 9 personal best results in athletics and swimming.
Athletes and coaches alike were moved to tears at the efforts of the squad, and all are to be highly commended for their hard work both before and during the Games.
Personal bests;-
Athletics;-
Lewis Williamson (Inverness) long jump 2 mtrs 27 cms
Peter Hardy (Caithness) – shot putt 5 mtrs 30cms
Nicky Alderson (Caithness) – 100 mtr walk 34.81 secs; 400 mtr walk 2mins 51.87 secs
Innis Mahon (Caithness) – 100 mtr walk 36.64 secs; 400 mtr walk 2 mins 53.08 secs
Swimming;-
Laura Aitken (Inverness) – 25mtr freestyle front 32.19 secs
Matthew Paterson (Ross-shire) – 50 mtr breast stroke 42.87 secs
Laura Matheson (Inverness) – 50 mtr freestyle front 1 min 20.29 secs
To be eligible to represent Great Britain, athletes and coaches must not only be proficient in their sport, but also display good sportsmanship, and ambassadorial qualities. Team Highland has many prospective candidates, athletes and coaches alike, for the World Games in 2015, which are being held in Los Angeles, and we are optimistic that the Highlands will be represented there.