Special Olympians are Going for Gold in Bath
Published on:
22
August 2013
Athletes competing in the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games will be given a super send off from Grangemouth Sports Complex on Tuesday 27th August.
The Forth Valley team will leave from Grangemouth, driving to Bath where they will join over 1,700 athletes from all over the UK.
But before they go they will receive the best wishes of Provost Tina Murphy of Clackmannanshire, Provost Mike Robbins of Stirling and Provost Pat Reid of Falkirk on behalf of their home counties.
The Forth Valley team of 51 athletes will compete in eight sports at the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games - athletics, indoor bowls, boccia, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics and swimming. The games will be held at Bath University between 28th August and 1st September.
The Forth Valley team also has 30 volunteers, coaches and carers who will join 600 coaches and 500 volunteers over the five days of the games.
Of the 51 Forth Valley athletes, 10 are from Clackmannanshire and 8 of the volunteers and coaches are also from Clackmannanshire.
Our athletes are: Football: Iain McLeod and Jaime Whyte from Alloa; Swimming: Andrew Wright from Tullibody, Elizabeth Jackson from Sauchie, Gavin Miller from Coalsnaughton and Claire Robertson from Fishcross; Boccia: Stephen Donaldson from Menstrie, Darren Rooney from Menstrie, Lee Duncan from Clackmannan and Neil Carruthers from Tullibody.
This is the largest team Forth Valley has ever sent to a Special Olympics and they have set their sights high and hopes to bring back a collection of medals.
These are the ninth National Summer Games and many of those travelling to Bath, previously completed at the 2009 Games in Leicester and the 2005 Games in Glasgow, while for some this will be their first experience of the Special Olympics.
At the previous Special Olympics GB National Summer Games in Leicester in 2009 the Forth Valley Team of 40 athletes were represented in five sports and returned with a fantastic haul of medal and ribbons.
Provost Tina Murphy said: "I am delighted that Forth Valley's three Provosts are coming together to give the Special Olympic team a rousing send off. Once again Clackmannanshire has a strong contingent attending the Games. We wish each member of the Forth Valley team the best of luck as they compete against participants from across the UK. The Forth Valley team always return with a raft of medals and I'm sure this year's team will do themselves and the area proud."
The Special Olympics are for athletes with a learning and intellectual disability.
Notes to Editors
For more information about the team contact Graham Harvey at Forth Valley Disability Sport by email at graham.harvey@fvds.org.uk or log onto www.bath2013.org.uk
