The mission of the Special Olympics is to provide year round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children and adults with mental retardation, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community.
The day’s proceedings while limited to running events over varying distances certainly displayed to me that the competitors achieved all of the objectives set out in the Programmes manifesto. Of all the competitors and there were around 150 not one failed to complete their task and did so with a huge grin and hands raised in celebration of their achievement. That many were also physically handicapped and clearly outclassed mattered not, they were competing with friends and there joy was infectious. All of the competitors were presented with a medal or ribbon so that there were no losers; the real winners though were the spectators.

Many people and organizations were responsible for sponsoring the days events far too many to list, but I would suggest that they were all well rewarded and a little humbled to witness the purity of spirit in which these athletes competed. For me what started out as another ordinary day turned out to be one of my most enjoyable?

Bernie Tuppin PSC. Charity Chairman.