AN Olympic sport competition for intellectually disabled athletes has been held in Wrexham with over 150 athletes taking part.
On Saturday (September 3) Special Olympics Wales hosted the Special Olympics Summer Series of Sport Athletics Competition in Wrexham.
The Wrexham competition is one of 26 events to be held across England and Wales, from June to October, in what will be the largest celebration of intellectual disability sport in Great Britain in 2022.
The competition also acted as one of several qualification routes for any athletes interested in being selected to represent Special Olympics GB in Berlin 2023.
There were around 150 athletes in total and 500 spectators, some of which came from South Wales, West Midlands and Sheffield.
READ MORE: Call for accessible toilets in Wrexham and Flintshire
Representing North Wales and Wrexham more than 80 intellectually disabled members participated in the Disability Sport INSPORT Programme.
Sports sessions were put on by Wrexham Leisure, Wrexham Rugby Club Wheel Chair Rugby, Wrexham Football Wheelchair Football, Boccia and Chirk Hockey.
For some athletes it was their first chance to compete at an event of this scale in over two years due to the pandemic.
Wrexham Police cadets performed an Opening Ceremony for the event, taking part in the "Guardian of the Flame" Torch Run, which was followed by a performance from Dynamic Signing Choir.
The Games were officially opened by Member of the Senedd, Ken Skates and Mark Pritchard, leader of the Wrexham Council.
A closing ceremony saw the athletes partaking in a parade followed by the WISP Dance group, an inclusive dance group from Wrexham.
The athletes then celebrated with a barbecue and party.
The medals were presented by a number of dignitaries from across North Wales including Ffiona Reid, Ceo of Disability Sport, Andy Duff, Head of Commercial at Wrexham Football Club, Mayor Brian Cameron and MP Sarah Atherton.
READ MORE: Flintshire adults with learning disabilities graduate from employment scheme
Running alongside the competition there was an opportunity for athletes to take part in a variety of festival activities including trying different sports, circus skills, drumming, sessions on healthy minds and an inflatable assault course.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel