DOZENS of athletes with learning difficulties were all winners when they competed in the Birmingham Special Olympics.
Competitors from across the West Midlands aged between eight and 50 took part in events from swimming to gymnastics and basketball, all backed by the Birmingham Mail Charity Trust. Organiser Mike Day said: “The event has been funded by the trust, to whom we say a special thank you. “Also thanks to all the athletes who made the event so successful.” Teams from across the West Midlands and from as far away as Cardiff took part and each of the competitors was given a medal for taking part. The Birmingham-based group is part of a global charity and operates under the umbrella of Special Olympics UK, a non-elitist sport organisation which provides a free year-round training and competition programme for thousands of people across the country. It needs about &pound23,000 a year to operate and relies on donations from organisations such as the Birmingham Mail Charity Trust, which awarded &pound1,000 for the event held at Stechford Cascades.
It is run by 16 volunteers including four qualified coaches and currently offers sessions to 50 people with several more on the waiting list.