Special achievement for ND Olympians

Teams of Special Olympics athletes from Wolverhampton, Birmingham, South Cheshire and Yorkshire and Humberside travelled to compete at Tarka Tennis Centre, Barnstaple, alongside a team of North Devon athletes.

Special Olympics is an international charity movement which aims to give people with intellectual disability the opportunity for regular sports coaching and participation in competition. Some of the North Devon athletes have previously travelled overseas to participate in international competitions.

In Special Olympics North Devon, athletes can participate in table tennis, tennis, boccia and badminton on a weekly basis during term-time.

The recent competition, enjoyed by all, was kindly attended by Mayor Janet Coates and Councillor Louisa York, and generously supported by grants from North Devon Council and Devon County Council.

North Devon athletes came away with two gold medals, three silvers and three bronzes in the singles, one gold, silver and bronze in the doubles, and two silver and two bronze medals in the mixed doubles. One player competed in the open event and came in third.

Special Olympics is always looking for more volunteers to help run the weekly sessions, held on Saturdays at Tarka Leisure Centre.