It’s best foot forward for students at UAE games

STUDENTS from a Glasgow university will travel more than 3500 miles to Abu Dhabi to ensure competitors from the Special Olympics World Games are “feet fit”.

Thomas Aird and Nicole Dolan, third year podiatry students at Glasgow Caledonian University, will shortly set off along with podiatry lecturer Mandy Abbott, a clinical director of the Special Olympics.

The trio will examine the health of competitors’ feet during their visit to the United Arab Emirates.

As part of a volunteer team, they will screen athletes’ feet from 192 nations who have conditions such as autism, brain injuries or Down’s syndrome.

Ms Abbot said: “We will see about 5000 athletes during the competition.

“We will be screening their feet for conditions and abnormal feet posture and foot deformities.

“A team of athletes have previously turned up all wearing shoes of the same size.”

The athletes will compete against others with similar abilities creating a level playing field for competitors.

After foot screening, the participants will all be given new footwear which fits them properly and meets their specific requirements.

Thomas, 20, from Ayr is excited to be travelling to a radically different country and did not expect to be using his podiatry skills in the arid climate of the United Arab Emirates.

He said: “I wouldn’t have thought it would be an option to travel to a country like that.

“It’s going to be interesting because it’s the first time I’ve ever been to somewhere like that. It will give me better understanding of different cultures.”

The Special Olympics is not aimed at those with physical disabilities such as the Paralympics which has a different criteria.

Instead a total of 7500

‘‘ We will be screening their feet for abnormal feet posture

athletes with intellectual disabilities will take part and attend the global opening ceremony on March 14 at the Zayed Sports City arena.

It is “not an elitist” competition and is designed to be inclusive event embracing equality amongst athletes of similar abilities.

This is summed up by the games’ motto: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”

Nicole, 21, of Hamilton, said: “It will be nice to experience a different culture and see how different it is from how we live in the West.

“I’m quite surprised it was an option for us.”