Lothian Special Olympics hosted a Multi Sports Festival for Special Olympics Athletes from across Great Britain, welcoming a massive ten regions to participate in a wide range of activities on the weekend of 26th and 27th September.
Athletes from as far as Yorkshire and Humberside were given the opportunity to participate alongside their peers in Boccia, Carpet Bowling, Judo, Netball and Swimming. There was also a fun football competition which saw staff from Blackrock Wealth Management take on the LSO football players. The event also saw opening and closing ceremonies each day, with the sessions beginning with Special Olympic Athletes entering with the flame and concluding with all athletes being recognised for their considerable efforts as they deservedly received medals or ribbons.
The weekend saw the ‘Festival of Sport’ take over Dalkeith School Campus, using three games halls, outside aesthetic pitches, swimming pool amongst others spaces as 163 athletes and 28 coaches and team managers enjoyed a wide range of sports – while officials, family and friends also enjoyed the outstanding atmosphere throughout the weekend.
LSO and Blackrock have been working in partnership for the previous number of months to provide this opportunity for the Special Olympic athletes. Blackrock recently chose Lothian Special Olympics as their charity of the year and have been able to offer financial support to the organisation, providing the platform for the volunteers of LSO to plan, co-ordinate and deliver the ‘Festival of Sport’.
The amount of work that was undertaken in the build up and on the day of the event should not be underestimated and huge credit should be given to the whole team that was involved in the hugely successful weekend. Elaine McKenna, the recent recipient of the Elspeth Watson Trophy at the Scottish Disability Sport Annual Awards for her devotion to disability sport, continued this incredible work and was delighted with the teamwork, commitment and enthusiasm on display throughout the weekend. The effort was there for all to see and this was clearly reflected in the faces of the athletes, coaches, family and friends of the Special Olympic community. Roll on next time……………
