Yasmin tees up Olympic glory
AHIGH school pupil is set to play golf for Team GB at this year’s Special Olympics (SO) in Berlin.
Yasmin Booth is among one of the first athletes to be named in the Team SOGB squad for the games next summer.
The Crompton House C of E. Shaw year 10 pupil comes from a long line of golfers including great grandmother Mary Quarmby, who won numerous board prizes at Pike Fold Golf Club, and grandparents Lynn and Bob Birkbeck who have both been captains at Rochdale Golf Club.
Dad Nick and mum Liz are also both keen golfers and Liz says the game is in he genes.
“It is the most wonderful news,” said Liz.
“We heard about the Special Olympics in 2018 when my parents saw Kiera Byland BEM, Special Olympic gold medallist on the BBC News.
“This triggered us to find out more. We entered cycling national competitions, and golf more recently. Yasmin has succeeded at golf and managed to win best overall at the Harpenden Common Nationals Competition in June earlier this year.
“This gave us the opportunity to apply for the SO World Games, and to hear Yasmin had been selected is unbelievable, Yasmin is excited and worried in equal measures.”
Special Olympics GB is the largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for children and adults of all abilities with intellectual disabilities in the UK.
Its team for Berlin 2023 will compete in sports ranging from athletics, swimming, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, cycling and many more including team sports such as basketball and unified football.
Athletes will be supported by 28 coaches and a further 22 support and medical staff.
Colin Dyer, CEO of Special Olympics GB, said: “Huge congratulations to all of our athletes who have been selected to represent Team SOGB at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin 2023.
“To represent Team SOGB as an athlete with intellectual disabilities deserves the highest praise and recognition.
“Given the incredibly challenging circumstances that we have encountered in recent years, winning a place in the Special Olympics World Games squad is not only an incredibly proud moment for our athletes, but for their loved ones and our fantastic team of volunteers who make Special Olympics GB happen.”