Athletes in Special turn
SOME of South Australia’s Olympic heroes are reversing their roles to support athletes competing in the Special Olympics National Games in Adelaide in April.
Members of the SA Olympians Club, led by 2004 cycling gold medallist Stuart O’Grady, will be cheering from the sidelines when more than 1000 athletes with an intellectual disability compete in 11 sports over five days.
Among them will be 28- year- old Toby Sutherland, who, when he’s not making furniture at his job with Bedford, is playing and coaching basketball, football and tenpin bowling, but will be donning the soccer boots at the Special Olympics.
“Sport is his entire existence outside of work,” Toby’s dad Gary said.
“He has represented his state and been to a Special Olympics in Melbourne and Adelaide, and travelled to Newcastle for an Asia/ Pacific national games as well.
“He has something on most nights and has just dropped tenpin bowling because he’s too busy.”
The Special Olympics provides Toby with a goal to work towards as well as an inclusive environment for him to participate.
“Toby is big on the camaraderie side of the event, meeting other people who are playing the same sport or just staying in the same camp,” Gary said.
“And it’s an environment he knows is going to be comfort- able because there is so much support there.
“You can’t always guarantee that everywhere else because sometimes people forget that it’s about being inclusive.”
O’Grady is an ambassador for the event and is rallying other Olympians in Adelaide to support the athletes competing in athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, soccer, golf, gymnastics, sailing, swimming and tennis.
“We want to get behind them as much as possible and get as many Olympians out there supporting them as we can,” O’Grady said.
“At the SA Olympians Club we have a wide range of athletes so we’ll try to rally the younger and older ones to get involved and support our competitors.
“Late last year we presented a couple of guys with their spot on the team and you could see it means a lot to them and their family.
“It gives them a focus and a few goals as well as an opportunity to have a bit of fun.
“I’ll be in Europe for the cycling classics but get back just in time for the Special Olympics so will get out to it as much as I can.
“It’s fantastic to have event in Adelaide, which perfect city for it.”
The Special National Games from April 16- 20.
Help people with an intellectual disability to achieve their life potential through sport and donate to Special Olympics Australia by visiting s pec i a l ol y mpics. c om. a u/ donate the is a Olympics will be held