Making an Olympic dream come true

YORKSHIRE athletes are competing in the Special Olympics in Athens this week. Catherine Scott reports.

COMPETING for your country is every athlete’s dream.

Bringing home a gold medal is one of sport’s most desired prizes. Seven athletes from Yorkshire are this week bidding for Olympic glory at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens.

Despite the economic problems in Greece at the moment the athletes are hopig to bring something special to the troubled country. Among them, and the oldest at 54, is Bilton powerlifter Lynn Williams who is no stranger to bringing home the medals.

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She won an incredible four golds at the 2009 Special Olympics GB National Summer Games in Leicester, and will battle the world’s best lifters in Greece.

Special Olympics is the third member of the Olympics family along with the Olympics and Paralympics, and celebrates the abilities and accomplishments of people with learning disabilities.

This year’s World Games will feature more than 7,500 athletes from 185 countries, 2,500 coaches, 25,000 volunteers and 3,000 officials.

The 2011 British team were selected from 2,500 competitors in Leicester, where Lynn won her four powerlifting golds in squat, bench press, deadlift and combination events.

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She took up the sport in 1992 and has since enjoyed a wealth of success and trophies at competitions all over the UK, particularly north of the border where Lynn attends the Scottish Open each year.

A member of the Yorkshire Special Needs Powerlifting Association along with partner Paul McKee, Lynn trains every Sunday at Armley jail in Leeds, under head coach Jayne Hague and twice a week at Jimmy’s Gym in Greengates, Bradford.

“It’s just a dream come true, I couldn’t believe it when they told me I’d been selected,” said Lynn, talking from the training camp in Skiathos.

“It’s always a great atmosphere when the British powerlifters are together, just like a big family, and to be in Athens will be extra special as all our friends and family will be there too.

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“Winning four golds in Leicester was brilliant and I’m hoping I can do as well in Athens. I’ve got a good chance. It is a bit nerve-wracking until you’ve done your first lift but after that you just get into it. I am really looking forward to the opening ceremony.

“Special Olympics is like an extension of my family and friends. I get to compete at my own level, have fun and experience different cultures and countries. I have a better quality of life. Going to Greece and competing for my country is my biggest dream.”

Her Aunty Jane is her coach: “Special Olympics has greatly improved her life and made her so much more confident. I can’t wait to watch her do her best in Greece!”

Athletes have to find the £2,000 needed to take part and achieve this through fund-raising. Lynn was one of just 18 athletes from across the country to benefit from a special grant to add to the money she had already raised.

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She was chosen by Cash4Clubs to be the first recipient’s of a Special Olympics GB grant. Betfair’s Cash4Clubs scheme was launched by Dame Kelly Holmes in 2008 to support grassroots sports clubs and programmes.

A portion of the £10,000 grant was divided up between the 18 athletes.

Special Olympics CEO Karen Wallin said: “We are just delighted to be chosen by Cash4Clubs.

“Our charity relies on corporate and private donations to provide sports training and competitions to more than 8,000 learning disabled children and adults each week.

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“The grant was instrumental in helping to get our team to Athens to represent Great Britain, and will also help to launch new clubs around the country.”

Betfair’s head of corporate responsibility, Georgina Corbett, added: “We are excited Cash 4 Clubs is able to help talented athletes via this joint initiative with Special Olympics GB.”

YORKSHIRE’S SPECIAL OLYMPICS SQUAD

THE Special Olympics are staged every four years for young people and adults with learning difficulties. The Games take place across Greece until July 4.The seven Yorkshire athletes will be accompanied by two coaches and are: Benjamin Horner, golf, Ilkley; Nigel Halliday, powerlifting, Shipley; Lynn Williams, powerlifting, Bilton; Robert Burnett, bowling, Bradford; Mary Nolan, gymnastics, Beverley; James Horsefall, basketball, Queensbury; Kelly Moore, powerlifting coach, Bradford; and Mark Summers, football coach, Tockwith, near York. David Nicholson, Meltham, is families co-ordinator.