Story by Hayley Everett
The Special Olympics has arrived in Sheffield this week, bringing competitors with intellectual disabilities from all over the country to celebrate sport and achievement in the Steel City.
The tenpin bowling competition has started with a bang over at the Hollywood Bowl, with over 80 athletes taking part in the event and hundreds of supporters cheering them on.
Father and son duo, David and Phillip Jordan (pictured above), are representing the South East region in the event. David has volunteered with Special Olympics for over 30 years and has come to the National Summer Games as one of the coaches for the South East.
His son, Phillip, or “P.J” as he is known to his teammates, is competing in the tenpin bowling events this week.
When Phillip was born, doctors said they did not expect him to live for more than 24 hours.
Now, he lives independently on his own and is a regular competitor for Special Olympics Surrey, which he joined in his youth.
David said: “I am immensely proud. It’s wonderful to see how happy and excited they are, it’s all you can want. Yesterday’s enthusiasm was fantastic.”
The pair are incredibly excited for the week ahead, with Phillip due to bowl in the doubles event alongside his partner this afternoon.
After attending yesterday’s opening ceremony, David said that despite the cold and rain it was, “a great show. We had a very nice time.”
“This event gives the athletes the freedom to enjoy themselves and achieve something, just like anyone else.”
The tenpin bowling events will continue until the end of the week, with the first of the medal awards ceremonies happening later today.
For the latest news from the Special Olympics, please visit sheffield2017.org.uk.
Be the first to comment