Special Olympics Cayman Islands will host the Caribbean Regional Bocce Tournament, granting athletes the opportunity to showcase their talents and hard hours of training.
The event, which takes place from 23-25 May at the Lions Centre, and is free of charge to the public, will welcome more than 40 Special Olympians from over 20 countries.
Nicole Thompson, one of the Special Olympics bocce coaches and tournament organisers, told the Compass, the event offers the athletes a chance to be recognised for their hard work.
“A key part of Special Olympics training is competition,” Thompson said. “Any avenue that affords the athletes an opportunity to put their training to the test, means that they are accomplishing the goals… and it is important for the local community to see and recognise the achievements of our athletes, especially on the field of play.”
Thompson said preparation for the Cayman athletes, and event as a whole, over the last several weeks has been “hectic, yet exciting”.
“There are a lot of moving parts in planning any competition where various countries are coming together so it has been hectic for the Games Organising Committee to ensure that all aspects are covered to make this an enjoyable and memorable experience for all participants.”
Thompson added that despite the frantic planning, the athletes have enjoyed their training and are looking forward to doing their best on the regional stage in front of family and friends, with the expectation to give it their all and have fun.
“We go into the competition expecting our athletes to do their best, to be good ambassadors of Special Olympics Cayman Islands and to enjoy themselves,” she said. “The medals and the accolades would be a welcomed bonus.”
According to Thompson, the plan is to have the regional bocce competition to be ongoing, with the next event to be hosted in a different country in 2026.
Related Videos
