Jonathan wins ice skating gold at Special Olympics
Maidenhead-born ice skater Jonathan Clutterbuck has returned from the Special Olympics GB Winter Games in Folgaria, Italy with a gold medal around his neck.
The 37-year-old, who has Down's Syndrome and autism, travelled to Italy as part of a 60strong British team to take part in the national Games, where the focus is on athletes' ability, not their disability.
With athletes competing in a range of skiing and skating events, the Games were held from January 27 to February 3. Categories are based on the severity of athletes' intellectual or learning disabilities with a banding system ensuring they compete alongside people of a similar ability.
Jonathan, who grew up in Maidenhead and still regularly visits his family home, won a gold medal in the ice skating figures competition level 1. He also performed a showpiece skating routine alongside his coach Paul Crocker to the song 'You've Got a Friend in Me' from the film Toy Story. That was part of a special skating gala which took place during the Games and part of the routine featured in a highlights reel put together for the closing ceremony.
Jonathan now lives in a residential home in the New Forest and trains on a regular basis at the Gosport Ice Arena, but he learned to skate and honed his craft at the Slough Ice Arena.
It took him three years to build the confidence to let go of his helper's hand when he first started ice skating, but he's gone on to become a shining example of how someone with learning disabilities can overcome the limitations of their condition.
This sport has enabled him to compete on a world stage and win medals in competitions in the UK and abroad.
He also competed at an inclusive skating Invitational Games that took place in Sweden where he was also successful. But more than that, skating has contributed significantly to his health and well-being, giving him the confidence and ability to express himself on the ice.