Quarter million annually in training makes a Special Olympian: Sports Minister of Barbados celebrates medals of Special Olympics team
Barbados’ Special Olympians earn lavish praise from Sports Minister Stephen Lashley for their successful medalling and social media prowess at the just-concluded Los Angeles Special Olympics World Games.
(L to R) Felicia McLennan, Special Ambassador John King and Shakida Grant, Marketing Executive with Digicel Barbados
The team returned to Barbados on Tuesday evening with a total of 17 medals: eight gold, five silver and four bronze. Their main star Tyson Browne not only gained international media attention but a whopping 5.12 million Likes through new social media forum Snapchat.
“This performance certainly deserves praise and acclamation. They have done, not only themselves, but Barbados proud, with these achievements,” Lashley observed, noting the gold-earning feats were achieved in the disciplines of bocce, track, and the recent addition of golf.
Lashley also congratulated the coaches and trainers, as well as the athletes’ parents and guardians who travelled to LA to bolster the youngsters.
At the welcome reception held at Bagatelle Great House, Chair of Special Olympics Barbados, Mrs Donna King-Brathwaite spoke of challenges the team face in terms of funding and declared if each athlete was adequately compensated – it takes 200 to 250-thousand BBD every year to train each competitor individually.
Marketing & Communications Mgr Krystle Smith (left) joins Shakida in presenting a cheque to help offset future expenses from further endeavours with Stephen Lashley and Mrs King-Brathwaite joining some of the athletes in mutual appreciation of the gift.
The athletes also got musical treats from Ambassador John King, Don Trent and others while Digicel Barbados made a special presentation of a donation towards future competing.
