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Sunshine at Special Olympics, more competition for medals
Dublin, Ireland, June 25: Since 1968, the Special Olympics world games -- which now extends to 160 countries -- has organised programmes to give people with learning disabilities opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy.
Dublin, Ireland, June 25: Since 1968, the Special Olympics world games -- which
now extends to 160 countries -- has organised programmes to
give people with learning disabilities opportunities to
develop fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy.
A great deal of enjoyment and achievement was displayed at
Morton Stadium on tuesday (June 24) when teams from countries
all over the globe such as Chile, Ghana, Barbados, Uganda,
Panama, Cuba and Australia competed in a number of track and
field events.
The volunteers at the world games in Dublin, Ireland work
hard to make sure the events run smoothly and athletes are in
the right place at the right time.
Afghanistan were late entries into the games after Senegal
had to pull out due to finance and bureaucracy. Coach Abdul
Karim Azizi, who once won many national medals in Afghanistan,
with finance from Washington DC in the United States, managed
to get a small team together in the three weeks leading up to
the games.
One of five athletes, 13-year-old Khilid Tahiry, competed
in a 400 metres final. All the finals are split into different
divisions dependant upon ability and age. Tahiry looked
wary as he stood on the start line, with his protective coach
trying to shout instructions in his own language of Dari. But
he completed the race in fifth position and all the athletes
collected awards.
After he had been presented with his award by Ireland's international soccer manager Brian Kerr, Tahiry spoke of his joy to be at the games. "I am having a very good experience in Ireland. Before the games, I tried my best in training and to be here is a dream come true", he said.
A team from Baghdad also has managed to make the trip to Ireland, despite the problems their country still faces. The team consists of eight athletes who are competing in table tennis and athletics.
The Iraqi table tennis coach Bassem Mohammed said the athletes were very pleased to be in Ireland and they had been overwhelmed by how kind and friendly the Irish people have been to them. He is a dedicated coach and has been determined to get to the world games. "I have been training them for the last four years, and we competed in the Arab Special Olympics last year in Lebanon, but it has been difficult, due to the war and the sanctions in Iraq", he said. On the athletics track, the Iraqis got their first gold medal of the games when Hussain Ghandawi powered home in the men's 400 metres division 25.
Iman Abdul Amir is studying for a PHD and part of her studies have been to help with the Iraqi team. Her encouragement and patience with the athletes seems to have paid off and she said it was a dream come true.
"I think it was a dream to us, because of the war and the situation in Iraq, but sometimes dreams will be a fact (come true) and you see now we are here and that's a great thing," she said.
The games involves 166 international delegations, more than 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches and official delegates. Events include aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, cycling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, roller-skating, sailing, softball, table tennis, tennis, team handball, and volleyball. For the sportsmen and women at the Special Games, not only is it an opportunity for them to experience achievement and enjoyment, but it is also hoped that the games will increase awareness of people with learning disabilities potential. For many of the athletes, it is their first time outside their own countries and away from their families. The culture and warm welcome the teams say they have encountered in Ireland has all added to their wonderful experience so far.
Bureau Report
After he had been presented with his award by Ireland's international soccer manager Brian Kerr, Tahiry spoke of his joy to be at the games. "I am having a very good experience in Ireland. Before the games, I tried my best in training and to be here is a dream come true", he said.
A team from Baghdad also has managed to make the trip to Ireland, despite the problems their country still faces. The team consists of eight athletes who are competing in table tennis and athletics.
The Iraqi table tennis coach Bassem Mohammed said the athletes were very pleased to be in Ireland and they had been overwhelmed by how kind and friendly the Irish people have been to them. He is a dedicated coach and has been determined to get to the world games. "I have been training them for the last four years, and we competed in the Arab Special Olympics last year in Lebanon, but it has been difficult, due to the war and the sanctions in Iraq", he said. On the athletics track, the Iraqis got their first gold medal of the games when Hussain Ghandawi powered home in the men's 400 metres division 25.
Iman Abdul Amir is studying for a PHD and part of her studies have been to help with the Iraqi team. Her encouragement and patience with the athletes seems to have paid off and she said it was a dream come true.
"I think it was a dream to us, because of the war and the situation in Iraq, but sometimes dreams will be a fact (come true) and you see now we are here and that's a great thing," she said.
The games involves 166 international delegations, more than 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches and official delegates. Events include aquatics, athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, cycling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, roller-skating, sailing, softball, table tennis, tennis, team handball, and volleyball. For the sportsmen and women at the Special Games, not only is it an opportunity for them to experience achievement and enjoyment, but it is also hoped that the games will increase awareness of people with learning disabilities potential. For many of the athletes, it is their first time outside their own countries and away from their families. The culture and warm welcome the teams say they have encountered in Ireland has all added to their wonderful experience so far.
Bureau Report