Olympic dreams come true for team of Caithness athletes
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TEN athletes from Caithness Disability Multi-Sports (CDMS) team are gearing up to compete at the Great Britain special Olympics in Sheffield.
The team have been training assiduously over the past two years under the watchful eye of Liz Macleod who is the head coach for the 30-strong Highland team.
The Caithness contingent will join up with the rest of the Highland team in Inverness before making their way south for the start of the four day event with a spectacular Olympic-style opening ceremony at Bramhall Lane home of Sheffield United on Sunday, August 6.
About 2600 athletes with disabilities of all ages will come together from all over the UK competing in 19 different sports. They will be supported by 800 coaches, 750 volunteers, 150 officials and more than 5000 family members and friends to cheer them on.
CDMS started in 2004, firstly competing in athletics before becoming involved in sports like swimming, bowling, basketball, boccia and a form of curling.
CDMS patron and chairman of the Caithness group Willie Mackay, who is also chairman of the Caithness branch of ENABLE for learning disabled, said “This is what all the endless hours of training, dedication and coaching is all about – getting to their Olympics.
“We have super dedicated coaches in Caithness who have worked wonders with the team holding them together and supporting them at competitions recently all over the Highland area.
“The team have been practising weekly and I’m proud of the enthusiasm they have shown and know they are ready to do Caithness proud”.
Caithness athletes taking part at the Special Olympics are: Susan Cowie (bowling); David Gunn (100m shot put and standing long jump); Aaron Mahon (400m walk, shot put and standing long jump); Stuart Henderson (100m shot put and standing long jump); Daniel Mackay (boccia); Innes Mahon (400m, 800m walk and shot put); Clive Mappin (60m standing long jump and soft ball); Claire Madden (boccia); Elizabeth Mappin (bowling); and Shane Thompson (100m shot put and standing long jump).
They will be joined by head coach Liz Macleod; assistant coach Shaun Mahon; and coaches Terry Hossack, Claire Mackintosh, Catherine Mahon and Barry Shearer.
