Games to start with a bang

The Special Olympics GB 40th Anniversary Games begins tomorrow (Thursday) with a spectacular opening ceremony at Forthbank from 4pm.

Headlining the entertainment are the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and the show will be compered by TV presenter and celebrity Gail Porter and radio presenter Gavin Wallace.

The games will celebrate 40 years of Special Olympics GB and 50 years of Special Olympics. They are hosted by Special Olympics Scotland and are expected to welcome more than 1400 delegation members plus officials and attract more than 4000 spectators from across Europe and Asia.

Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organisation for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver and recognised by the International Olympic Committee. Competitors range across age groups, competing in 10 sports, including boccia, badminton, indoor bowls, cycling, football, golf, table tennis, swimming, MATP and athletics. The majority of the sports will take place at Stirling University whilst golf and indoor bowls will be held at Callander Golf Club and Stirling Indoor Bowling Club respectively. All sports are free to attend.

Competition begins on Friday lasting until Sunday’s closing ceremony.

Joining the Red Hot Chilli Pipers at Forthbank will be rock choir Soul Nation; iconic singer-songwriter Horse McDonald; soul singer Clyve Aguarde; Glasgow singer Max Murphy, who appeared on The Voice and Can’t Help Singing: Midlothian Ageing Well Choir and Dance Group, who will perform a song written for the anniversary games by Mark McGafferty. Tickets for the opening ceremony costing £10 (£30 family of four - two adults and two children under 16) are still available at www.Special OlympicsScotland40.com.