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Supported individuals enjoy the Special Olympics
Katie Friel from South Lanarkshire was one of eight individuals supported by The Richmond Fellowship Scotland who competed in the Special Olympics National Summer Games, 2005.
Supported individuals from all over the country descended on Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow, joining over 2,500 participating athletes, as well as almost 1,000 coaches and 3,000 families, friends and supporters.
Katie Friel, 23, from the South Lanarkshire Home Support service in Blantyre scored a number of successes at the week-long games including a gold medal in the Women’s 2.72 kg shot put.
Katie Said: “I’m doing the 100 metres, shot put and the 100 metres relay where I’m racing first. I’ve been at the Olympic Village since Friday and I’ve had a really good time. We’ve been doing a lot of training and have been out to the pictures and the disco. I’m looking forward to the party on Friday.”
“My Support Worker Julie has helped organise everything for the events and Suzanne my trainer has helped me practice. The Olympics is a good thing for the athletes and has helped me make new friends. I would like to do it again.” Richmond Fellowship Scotland Chief Executive, Austen Smyth, thanked everyone involved: “Staff teams throughout the country deserve great recognition for the considerable planning and extra work involved in providing support for this event. I know that the athletes spent an enjoyable week in Glasgow and made the Special Olympics the great success it was. As athletes, they brought the enjoyment of sport to the audience. Congratulations to everyone who competed at this special event.” The Supported individuals who competed at the Special Olympics were: Thomas McGarrie from Perth & Kinross Reggie Wheelhouse from Highland Keir Winsborough from Dunfermline C Ferguson, I McDougall and S McKellar from Argyll, Arran & Bute Katie Friel and Alice McWhirter from South Lanarkshire
Full results for the competing athletes can be found at www.specialolympicsglasgow.com