Nine Special Olympics Mackay athletes have done Mackay proud on the national stage, travelling to Launceston for the Special Olympics National Games in October.
Special Olympics Mackay was founded in 2012 and currently has 33 athletes competing across powerlifting, table tennis, basketball and ten pin bowling.
After hosting the Special Olympics State Titles CQ Games in Mackay in April 2021, nine of those 33 were selected in the Queensland team.
Annie, Chloe, TJ and Shane travelled to Launceston to compete in basketball and Corey, Donna, Frank, Paul and Tegan to compete in ten pin bowling.
The aim of the Special Olympics is to empower people with intellectual disabilities to discover new strengths, abilities, skills and success through the power of sport.
Special Olympics Mackay Coach and Mentor Kimberly Doyle says the recent Special Olympics National Games in Launceston achieved that aim.
“It was just astonishing to see the impact and the athletes to come away with a greater resilience and greater independence and just a greater feeling of self-worth,” she said.
“They just feel they’ve achieved and just to be there is an achievement.”
All Mackay athletes achieved admirable results, with some finishing the games with gold, silver and bronze medals across both basketball and ten pin bowling.
“They have their own expectations as to how they want to succeed,” said Kimberly.
“We were very happy with their performances.
“They tried their best, that’s all we really focus on, as long as they try their best, they’re a success.”
There are over 3,000 athletes involved in Special Olympics across the country, with 973 of those competing at the National Games.
“Everyone belonged, everyone felt they were part of something so big,” said Kimberly.
“It’s the greatest inclusive games in the country.
“To have those different abilities, you don’t have to be elite athletes, you just have to do your best.
“The athlete's oath is, ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,’ and that’s all they have to do.”
Athletes now wait with bated breath to find out if they qualify for the World Games, held in June 2023 in Berlin.
Wests Leagues Club is also hosting a fundraising cent sale for the Special Olympics Mackay this Sunday, November 6 from 11:00am where you will be able to meet the athletes who have returned from Launceston with their medals.
