Ready for action
Family and friends were present on Monday to wish the Forth Valley squad good luck as they set out to take part in this year’s Special Olympics in Sheffield.
More than 200 were at St Modan’s High School for the send-off of the team, made up of 53 athletes, 29 coaches and a one-to-one carer which will compete in athletics, indoor bowls, boccia, golf, football and swimming over six days.
The Special Olympics is largest multi-sports event for athletes with intellectual disabilities and is held every years. They represent a huge opportunity to showcase the abilities of children and adults with a learning disability allowing them to compete at a national level, achieve personal bests, as well as enable them to make friends, travel and socialise.
More than 500 athletes are heading from Scotland to participate, joining 2500 competitors from across Great Britain.
The official send off for the Forth Valley team saw a host of family and friends as well as Clackmannanshire Provost Tina Murphy, Stirling Bailie Alasdair Tollemache and local, regional and national partners waving the team off.
A spokesperson for Forth Valley Disability Sport said: “We would like to thank all family and friends who have supported fundraising efforts, and the many local companies and funders that assisted the team including M-line for Transport, RJM Sports for Team Kit, Awards for All, Schuh Trust and EDF Energy.
“A special mention also goes to the local and regional clubs who have worked extremely hard to ensure our FV athletes attended the Special Olympics this year - Forth Valley Flyers, Falkirk Indoor Bowling Club, Right on Target Boccia Club, Bridge of Allan Golf Club, Stirling City All Stars and Enable Arion Swimming Club.”
The Special Olympics opening ceremony was last night (Tuesday) at Bramall Lane and the event runs until Saturday, August 12.