Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles |06 August 2015

Hero’s welcome for Special Olympians

Seychellois special Olympians received a hero’s welcome yesterday morning at the Seychelles International Airport upon their return from the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, United States of America.

The Seychelles team of seven athletes picked up 11 medals – 5 of the gold hue, 3 silver and 1 bronze.

Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Minister Vincent Meriton was at the airport to welcome our athletes who showed no sign of tiredness as they were all smiles as they disembarked from the plane.

Accompanied by outgoing British High Commissioner Lindsay Skoll, National Sports Council director for sports management and development Robert Auguste and Special Olympics Seychelles officials, Minister Meriton presented the athletes with baskets of flowers and shared the good news of a monetary reward with them.

A gold medal is worth R10,000, silver medal R6,000 and bronze medal R4,000.

Bernard Larue clinched two of Seychelles’ five gold medals in the 100m race (14.67 seconds) and 4kg shot put throw (8.22m).

The other gold medallists are Margaret Quatre (100m walk in 30.13 seconds), Rosie Coralie (bocce singles with 13m) and Daniel Accouche (4kg shot put throw with a distance of 6.49m).

The three silver medallists are Accouche (100m race in 17.14 seconds), Alberto Joubert (bocce singles with 5m) and Marie Jacqueline Rose (bocce singles with 11m).

The bronze medal has been won by Rosie Coralie and Marie Jacqueline Rose in bocce doubles with a distance of 5m.

Only Janet Marie did not win a medal in Los Angeles, but according to a team representative she did finish first in the 3kg shot put throw event but was disqualified as her result in the final – 5.29m – was more than 15% greater than here preliminary round performance of 3.84m.

“The Special Olympians have made us all proud and this is why we have decided to reward them,” said Minister Meriton.

The special Olympians received more flowers from representatives of Seychelles Trading Company, Cable & Wireless and family members as they got out of the arrival lounge. The Seychelles Trading Company has also offered gift vouchers of R1,000, R500 and R200 for the gold, silver and bronze medallists.

Parents even shed tears as they embraced their children who have made them and their country proud.

Other than coaches Sultan Jacqueline and Jean Vardin, the athletes were accompanied by Erica Celeste and Helene Ernesta.

Meet the gold medallists

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Seychelles’ results in the Special Olympics World Summer Games

In South Bend, Indiana, USA, in 1987

Seychelles, represented by six participants, won 10 medals – five gold, two silver and three bronze.

In Minnesota, USA, in 1991

Seychelles, represented by 11 participants, won three medals – one gold and two silver.

In Connecticut, USA, in 1995

Seychelles, represented by 18 participants, won eight medals – six gold and two silver.

In North California, USA, in 1999

Seychelles, represented by 34 participants, won 26 medals – 11 gold, 11 silver and four bronze.

In Dublin, Ireland, in 2003

Seychelles, represented by a 52-member delegation, won 28 medals – 12 gold, seven silver and nine bronze.

In Shanghai, China, in 2007

Seychelles, represented by six track and field athletes, won six gold medals.

In Athens, Greece in 2011

Seychelles, represented by eight athletes won nine medals – three gold, six silver and three bronze.

 G. G.