It’s time to embrace the Special Olympics

Athletes have to overcome a severe lack of resources

WHEN Team South Africa competed at the last Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, they returned home with a mammoth 61 medals.

It hadn’t been a fluke. Nor had it been a surprise to South Africa’s Special Olympics Team. They had been doing it for more than 20 years.

But back home, support and recognition remains non-existent. “We’ve excelled in the last four World Games, so it’s hugely disappointing that our athletes receive no recognition,” remarks Ancilla Smith, the chief executive of Special Olympics South Africa.

But she’s hoping this will improve. With the upcoming Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria, Smith wants the public to get behind her team.

“Many people are still not comfortable with disability as a whole. I think it’s only in the past eight years that people have begun to support the Paralympics and I’m hoping that people will also begin to embrace Special Olympics athletes.”

In early March, 25 intellectually disabled athletes will jet off to Austria to compete in three events: floor hockey, figure skating and short speed skating.

While Smith expects a tough battle, she’s confident Team SA will challenge for medals on all fronts. “Our floor hockey team has brought back gold

“We feel it’s important for our athletes to be able to represent our country with pride and not have to stand on a podium in shoes that don’t fit and wearing second-hand clothes.”

Smith, who took over as chief executive a year ago, continues to be inspired by such “remarkable” athletes.

“All Olympic athletes sacrifice a lot to achieve their personal best. However, our athletes come from the most marginalised community on Earth. Many of them receive little support from their families and even less support from society at large.

“But the athletes remain dedicated, persevering using whatever means available from makeshift facilities to secondhand equipment.

“I am constantly in awe of the level of their achievement considering the amount of obstacles that they have to overcome.”

The Special Olympics Winter Games will take place from March 14 to 25.

The speed skating team in training ahead of the Winter Games to be held in Austria next month.

Members of the speed skating team train in preparation for the Winter Games, to take place in Austria from March 14 to 25.