Cayman’s Special Olympians showed their mettle this month during the 2010 Special Olympics Latin American (SOLA) Regional Games in Puerto Rico, bringing home thirteen medals, seven of them gold.
Swimmer Andrew Smilley won the 100m individual medley and 400m freestyle, runner Cindy Whittaker was first in the 100m and 200m sprint and won her shot put (3kg) event, Solomon Webster took gold in the individual bocce event and Leon Lambert won gold for his shot put (4kg) event.
“We are very proud of our athletes’ performances. Not only are they proving that Cayman is a Special Olympics powerhouse in the region, they are also role models for us all,” said Sports Minister Mark Scotland.
Special Olympics Cayman Islands (SOCI) sponsored a 14-person delegation to this year’s games. The ten athletes, three coaches and delegation head Ms. Antoinette Johnson, participated in preparation for the 2011 Special Olympics Summer World Games in Greece.
“We are extremely pleased with all our athletes. The exposure and experience that the team gained in Puerto Rico will assist them in future regional and global competitions,” said SOCI National Director Kim Landry. Their next big event will be the Cayman Islands National Games, to be held 5 June this year at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
“Our athletes rely on support from volunteers, sponsors, friends, family and their communities and we hope to see everyone filling the stands this summer,” Ms. Landry added.
