Sporty residents from Norwood’s residential community at Ravenswood in Berkshire are celebrating after winning an incredible 31 medals at the Special Olympics. A team of 32 athletes made the journey from Crowthorne to Leicester last week for the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games.
They were joined by more than 2,700 other competitors representing 19 Special Olympics regions at the national event. By the close of the games on Friday, Ravenswood residents, who competed on behalf of the Southern Region, had won:
• Three golds, six silvers and 11 bronze medals in Athletics
• Three golds, three silvers and two bronze medals in Ten Pin Bowling
• One gold and one bronze in Equestrian
• One bronze in Boccia
Nigel Trumper, Sport and Leisure Coordinator at Ravenswood, said all the athletes had excelled themselves.
“I’ve been working at Ravenswood for 20 years, and it never ceases to amaze me how much determination and effort our athletes put in prior to the games,” he added. “They train throughout the year and they always seem to dig deep when it counts. Everyone here is very proud.”
The Special Olympics kicked off on Monday with a spectacular opening ceremony, attended by more than 20,000 people at Leicester City Football Club’s stadium. The games featured some 21 events staged at venues across the town, including the football stadium and Leicestershire County Cricket Club.
One of the Ravenswood medal winners was ten pin bowling ace, Julian Primhak, 52, who came first in both the singles and doubles competition in his category.
“I won gold at the last Special Olympics, so I retained my crown,” he said. “I was thrilled to bits to win again. The whole thing was really enjoyable.”
Each week, more than 200 residents take part in a wide range of sporting, educational and leisure activities offered by Norwood’s Lifestyle Opportunities Department at Ravenswood and in the local area, including horse riding, athletics, cycling, swimming and football.
Meanwhile, adults with learning disabilities who use Norwood’s services in London are offered a range of sports and exercise classes for all abilities and levels including cycling, walking, trampolining, athletics, angling and sailing. Service users across London and the south-east also take part in the Charity’s fundraising international and national bike rides.
