Local News
A Triumphant Return From LA For Young Athletes
Five young people from Redcar and Cleveland have scooped Gold and Silver medals as part of the GB Team at the Special Olympics 2015, World Summer Games held in Los Angeles in July.
Our local sporting heroes are:
Steven Johnson (21) from Loftus who took Silver in 7-aside Football; From Eston, Stuart Tipp (17), Lewis Johnson (17) and George Dunkerley (14) and from Ormesby, Shaun Smith (17), who all took Gold in Basketball.
The athletes from the Northern Region joined up with their team mates from across Great Britain on July, 20 to fly out to Los Angeles, USA.
The 115-strong team joined 7000 athletes from 165 countries across the world. They were all supported by 3000 coaches and a further 15,000 volunteers to help this amazing sporting event.
The total medal tally for the GB Team was 68 Gold, 69 Silver and 42 Bronze.
Cllr Craig Hannaway, cabinet member for children at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council said:
“We are incredibly proud of Steven, Stuart, Lewis, George and Shaun who have done a magnificent job in these games.
“We hope that these fantastic achievements will inspire more young people to take part in Special Olympic Sports.”
He added: “I would like to recognise the Early Help Youth Service, run by the council, in taking the lead in a partnership between KTS Academy Brotton and Special Olympics Northern Region by providing facilities, equipment, coaching and support for the young people who showed a real passion and commitment to the sport.”
Keith Wilcox, Northern Region Chairperson and Special Olympics GB Board Member, was delighted with the local athletes performance at the games:
“Every team member rose to the occasion and after many weeks of training the athletes were rewarded with an amazing experience and memories to last forever.
“Around the world, families and friends of our athletes will never forget what their children and loved ones have achieved against the expectation of many.”
He added: “The World Games have given what all people with intellectual and learning disabilities require in life ‘A Chance’. The Special Olympics GB gives people with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to thrive, strive and feel alive every day, through sport, every week, across our country.”
For more information on the World Games, please visit www.specialolympics.org.
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