The local Special Olympics group recently held an important swim meet.
The Special Olympics of the Cayman Islands (SOCI) held the Aquatic section of its 2007 National Games 13 June. The event was held at the Lions Aquatic Pool at 6pm.
Brett Fraser (center left), winner of the recent Flowers Sea Swim, helps Mackie Smith in the pool. Photo: Matthew Yates |
Some 20 swimmers were in action. They were a combination of older athletes from the Sunrise Adult Learning Centre and younger ones from the Lighthouse School.
The swim meet saw great performances all around. Of note was Vanessa Williams, who won the most medals with three including two gold medals. Also Stacey Wood and Chloe Andreas won two gold medals.
According to Lighthouse School Instructor and SOCI National Coach Penny McDonald, the games provided a great purpose.
‘Some of the athletes competing do it for fun. Others are taking it as a tune-up for China and the Olympic Games.’
‘The Games are an opportunity for individuals to get medals and feel good about themselves. It’s once a year so it gives them something to train for.’
Among the better swimmers are 17 year-old Andrew Smiley and 14 year-old Wade McLaughlin. Smiley has been a strong swimmer for quite some time while McLaughlin has been competitively swimming for less than two years.
Smiley was on-hand at the swimming championships. He performed a few exhibition laps, displaying his grasp of the various swimming strokes. McLaughlin was unable to attend for reasons unknown.
The SOCI 2007 National Games were held 11-15 June 2007. The competition took place at various locales on Grand Cayman. The Games covered a wide range of sports including boxing and basketball.
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