Following the success of Special Olympics 2017 GB National Summer Games, Sheffield Council hosted a lunch reception to congratulate the athletes and their coaches. During the week long event some 2,600 athletes with intellectual disabilities took part in various sporting events across the city. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
The Special Olympics 2017 GB National Games have drawn to a close with a final day of competition, medals and closing celebrations for athletes and supporters. The country’s largest multi-sports event for athletes with intellectual disabilities, with 2600 participants, took place at thirteen venues across Sheffield. The event, held every four years, was last hosted in Sheffield in 1993. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed introduces day four of our Special Olympics 2017 highlights.
Some of the first Special Olympics 2017 GB National Games winning medals were on show after freestyle and back stroke swimming finals at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Thousands of families, friends and supporters were at Bramall Lane to welcome Special Olympics 2017 athletes at the opening ceremony for the GB National Games. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
The return of Special Olympics GB to Sheffield is a great opportunity to raise the profile of the games, according to president Lawrie McMenemy and chair Murton Mann. McMenemy and Mann spoke to Sheffield Live! before the opening ceremony. The GB National Games are held once every four years and last took place in Sheffield in 1993. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
The Special Olympics 2017 torch has arrived in Sheffield to accompany thousands of athletes and their supporters. The GB National Games are for athletes with learning disabilities and cover a wide range of sports including tennis, swimming and bowling. Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane stadium will host 20,000 people for the opening ceremony, with ex-Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley headlining the event. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed caught up with torch carrier PC Leo Hawker in Meadowhall.
Youngsters at a basketball event to promote the forthcoming Special Olympics were joined by WWE stars Charlotte Flair and tag team duo American Alpha. With less than 100 days before the Special Olympics comes to Sheffield, the wrestling stars turned their hand to basketball for a special event at the All Saints Sports Centre before their headline bought at the Sheffield Arena. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
The Special Olympics will be making it’s way to Sheffield in 2017, it will be the 10th in history of the organisation and the second to be held in Sheffield. It is the largest registered charity providing year-round sports training and competition opportunities for people with learning disabilities. Almost 1.2 million people in the UK which is 2% of the population are affected. Well Sheffield United’s Brammall Lane will be the host of the opening ceremony and Dave McCarthy from the Blades has been speaking about it…