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Tamika Wells (nearest the camera) and Julecia Smithen at the start of the 2nd heat in the 25 meters breaststroke. |
Charlestown Nevis (July 4, 2005) -- The St. Kitts and Nevis Special Olympics held the 2005 National Swim Meet at Cliffdwellers in Nevis on Saturday, where Nevisian Tamika Wells and Kittitian Granville Bali McSheen easily outshone the field.
In a competition where both boys and girls were lumped together for the different events in the 25-meters long swimming pool, Tamika Wells a bindery worker at the Charlestown Public Library won four medals, one individual gold medal in the 25 meters breaststroke, one gold from a relay and two silver medals from two relays.
Granville Bali McSheen took two individual gold medals in 50 meters freestyle and 50 meters backstroke. Other individual gold winners were Nevisians Robert Liddie (25 meters freestyle) and Kenny Mills (25 meters backstroke), and Kittitians Ricaldo Underwood (25 meters butterfly) and Darna Henry (100 meters freestyle).
There was no rivalry in the competition as relays were made up of competitors from both St. Kitts and Nevis, and mixed boys and girls save for the 4 by 25 meters medley winning quartet of Lemuel Hobson, Julecia Smithen, Ashton Mills and Darna Henry from St. Kitts.
The winning quartet in the 4 x 25 meters was made up Tamika (girl from Nevis), Julecia Smithen (girl from St. Kitts), Robert Liddie (boy from Nevis) and Kenny Mills (boy from Nevis).
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Ms Deborah Lellouch (left) after presenting a gold medal to Nevisian Tamika Wells for winning the 25 meters breaststroke. Others are from right, Kittitians Joseph Mason (ribbon for 4th place), Darna Henry (bronze) and Julecia Smithen (silver). |
Judges had a difficult time trying to communicate with the athletes all who had different disabilities including hearing impairment. At one time following a false start, an overzealous swimmer was only stopped after nosing the finish line. Many thought he had a hearing impairment, but it turned out that he thought he was being cheered to move on.
Chairperson of the Nevis Special Olympic Committee, Ms Adella Francis said that the meet was used to select a national team for the regional Special Olympics games due to be held in the Cayman Islands. But due to the storm disaster experienced last year, we are still uncertain and are waiting for a response from the Caymans Committee for when the games will take place, she added.
A contingent of over 50 persons including athletes, coaches and parents had travelled from St. Kitts and joined Nevisian athletes, coaches and parents. The meet was opened by Mr Brian David, Principal Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports and was attended by Nevis First Lady, Mrs Vernie Amory.
