IT WAS the perfect day for a sports meet. The sun was out and a light breeze was blowing across the Desmond Haynes Oval in Black Rock on Friday.
Scores of special children from 18 units had a day of fun and camaraderie and lots to cheer for when the National Games organised by Special Olympics Barbados came off.
The athletes, ranging in age from five to 50, participated in events such as the 25 metres, 50 metres, 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres, 800 metres and relays.
While the top three in each event received gold, silver and bronze medals, every athlete received a ribbon for participating.
Proud parents, guardians and teachers from each unit took photos, hugged, or high-fived the athletes, who proudly showed off each medal they received, as they beaming with pride.Special Olympics Barbados public relations officer Edward Thompson told NATIONSPORT that although the next Special Olympics will be held in Dubai in 2019, timekeeping was done as a way to measure the participants’ progress.
He also said that the meet, in addition to being a day of “fun, exercise and athletic expression”, also offered the participants “training and the experience of competition” .
Thompson added that during next year’s meet the officials would be looking to select a team to take to the Special Olympics. It will cost $6 000 per athlete, he said.
Members of the Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme officiated and assisted with the smooth running of the games.
The athletes were drawn from All Saints Primary Special Unit, Alma Parris Memorial Secondary, Ann Hill School, Caribbean Mind Institute, Challenor Creative Arts Training Centre, Charles F. Broome Special Unit, Albert Cecil Graham Development Centre, Derrick Smith School Vocational Centre, Eagle Hall Primary Annex, Elayne Scantlebury Centre, Ellerton Primary Annex, Erdiston Special School, Hilda Skeene Primary, Special Olympics Outreach and Skills Training Centre, St Matthew’s Primary Annex, The Learning Centre, The School House for Special Needs and Sunshine Early Stimulation Centre.
Amid the joyous atmosphere there was a moment of silence for those people who made a sterling contribution to Special Olympics and who had died within the last year. (GBM)