2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games-Six Seychellois special athletes get ready for Shanghai |17 September 2007

Six Seychellois special athletes are to represent the country at these Games in China, marking the first time the World Summer Games will be held in Asia, and only the second time outside the United States.

The six Seychelles athletes for this year’s Games are Joel Julie (100m and 200m), Steven Ernesta (400m and 800m), Medine Olivia (60m and soft ball throw), Rosie Coralie (100m and 200m), Lorna Lespoir (400m and shot putt) and Diana Valentin (shot putt and 100m).

It is to note that Seychelles won an outstanding haul of 28 medals - 12 gold, seven silver and nine bronze - during the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Dublin, Ireland.

This year’s Special Olympics World Summer Games are expected to attract some 7,000 athletes, 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of family members and friends from around the world.

G. G.