THE outstanding success of the Dumfries and Galloway Special Olympics Team was recognised at a civic reception on Tuesday evening [21.11.17].
The event was hosted by Dumfries and Galloway Disability Sport, supported by Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Civic Hospitality Fund.
The Special Olympics take place every 4 years in the UK and this year’s Games took place in the City of Sheffield from the 7 to 12 August, when more than 2,600 athletes, 800 coaches, and 750 volunteers, representing 18 UK regions, competed in the 20 different sports events for people with a learning disability.
Having previously competed at Leicester in 2009 and Bath in 2013, the Dumfries and Galloway Team took its largest ever team to the Games; 33 athletes and 17 coaches, competing in 4 sports – athletics, boccia, football, and swimming. The team did exceptionally well, coming home with a fantastic medal haul of 32 medals [11 golds, 13 silver and 8 bronze], plus numerous ribbons for 4th to 8th places.
The event was attended by the athletes and their families, joined by more than 200 guests including councillors, sponsors and local organisations that had supported the team to raise the necessary funds to send the team to the games.
The evening was opened by Council Leader Elaine Murray and included presentations and videos telling the story of the games, concluding with a presentation of gifts to the athletes and organisations that supported the team.
George Morrison, chair of Dumfries and Galloway Disability Sport, said:“It was a great night and a very fitting tribute to recognise the achievements of the Dumfries and Galloway team. I’d like to thank all local groups and organisations for their generous support to the team and for coming along to the reception and celebrating with them.”
Council Leader Elaine Murray said: “Being inclusive is a priority for our Council so it was a particular pleasure to be able to attend this civic reception honouring the exceptional achievements of our region’s Special Olympians. Sport can be key to wellbeing and it was obvious how significant it is in the lives of these young athletes. They are a credit to our region and an inspiration to us all. “
