Norwood’s track and field star, Lawrence Black, is celebrating double medal success after representing Great Britain in the 2010 Special Olympics European Games. At the age of 56, he was the oldest competitor at the event in the Polish city of Warsaw last week. But age proved no barrier to Lawrence, a resident at Ravenswood, Norwood’s residential community in Berkshire, as he scooped silver in the 400 metre walk and bronze in the shot put.
Lawrence’s participation in the event was put in jeopardy earlier this year after he suffered an injury to his foot. However, he was determined to take part and once his foot began to heal he returned to his training schedule in earnest a few months ago.
He was accompanied to the games by Nigel Trumper, Sport and Leisure Coordinator at Ravenswood. Nigel has known Lawrence for many years and expressed how moving the event was for both of them. “I have been working with Lawrence for a long time now and was choked up when he won the silver medal,” he said. “It was a very emotional moment. Lawrence is one of the most determined and committed athletes one will ever meet. He has a competitive streak and gave this challenge 110 per cent effort.”
Lawrence, who has multiple learning disabilities, also enjoyed participating in various other activities during his trip to Poland. He arrived a week prior to the event and travelled to nearby Bialystok where they visited a local animal park, enjoyed a training day with local athletes, and watched a show in the town square. After returning to Warsaw, the pair enjoyed the ‘phenomenal atmosphere’ at the opening ceremony. Nigel said Lawrence showed no sign of nerves as the competition began and was incredibly excited to take part.
Speaking after the event, Lawrence said: “The hardest event was shot put as there was some tough competition. I was so pleased to win silver and be presented with a medal.”
