SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – THE contingent of 30 athletes that traveled from St. Kitts-Nevis to Puerto Rico for the Special Olympics Latin American Games have already returned a total of seven medals with two days of competition remaining.
The athletes began the competition by participating in a parade of over 1000 athletes from 33 delegations before more than 12 000 fans. As the athletes marched at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan last Friday (Feb. 19), images from St. Kitts-Nevis and the other participating nations were on display via two large display screens.
At the opening ceremony the Mayor of San Juan, Jorge Santini, said that the athletes “show us what can be achieved when we make an effort and are persistent in achieving goals”, and all of the athletes from the Federation were quick to show the hard work and determination they have poured into their respective sporting disciplines for this competition.
Nevisian Tameka Wells was in a class all her own in the swimming events as she won gold medals in both the 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke, while Kittitian Akim Hendricks also made it to the swimming podium with a bronze in the 50m freestyle.
Though they did not take medals Ashton Mills, Joseph Mason, Shakeesha Joseph and Vernecia Pennyfeather all represented the nation well in their respective aquatic events.
Track and field proved to be another gold mine for St. Kitts-Nevis as Lavanda Forbes and Leniesha Baptiste both took gold in the 100m, while Melony Greene picked up a bronze. Also participating in track and field were St. Clair Smithen, Akimo Freeman and Donald Phillip, who proudly finished fourth, sixth and eighth in their respective events.
The Federation’s final medal thus far in the games came from Nevisian Valencia Wilkinson, who bested her competition for a silver medal in the Standing Long Jump. Letisha Davis also participated in the event and did very well by taking fourth place overall.
Special Olympics Track and Field Coach Sylvester Dore said that he expects even more determined performances from the athletes as they participate in the 4 x 100m and 200m finals later today (Feb. 25).
He also said that the athletes are well prepared for the football, tennis and bocce ball events in the final days of the games.
The results thus far in the games are of little surprise, as Dore said all of the athletes were highly enthusiastic during their training. He also noted that, regardless of the medal count at the end of the games, the athletes would all leave with valuable confidence in their own abilities.
“When they perform at a level and they know they are competing against their peers throughout the region, it gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment that they can carry over into their everyday lives,” Dore told SKNVibes prior to the team’s departure.
The Special Olympics Latin American Games continue through Saturday (Feb. 27), after which the athletes and 10 coaches shall return to the Federation.
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