Skaters hope to go to Austria

Skaters from all over Joburg were excited to compete for a place at the Special Olympics to be held in Austria. They were competing at the ice rink in Northgate Shopping Centre on 26 April.

Chief Executive Officer of the Special Olympics South Africa, Ancilla Smith said that the Special Olympics were held every two years alternating between summer and winter games and that only four skaters would be chosen to represent South Africa after they have qualified.

“The Special Olympics includes athletes with intellectual or physical disabilities and the emphasis is on developing health, fitness and nutrition which has a positive impact on the quality of life of the athletes,” Smith explained.

She added that the skaters who have qualified and already gone through the judging process would have their names put in a hat and that is how the skaters would be chosen to represent South Africa in Austria at the Special Olympics.

Skating hopeful Tyrell Sykes (16) from Noordgesig said that he was excited about what was coming and hoped that his name was pulled out of the hat as he has been preparing for this competition for a long time.

“I learn a lot from skating, it is fun and I am able to keep fit and healthy through the sport since I started in 2011,” Sykes said.

Another hopeful was Bianca Basson (18) who has been skating since she was six years old. Basson said that she saw her skating improve each time she got onto the ice and that she wanted to go as far as she could in the sport.

“I won my first gold medal in 2015 and it motivated me to keep going and if I get chosen to represent South Africa in Austria I know my parents will be so happy as they have been supporting me from the beginning,” Basson explained.

Details: ancilla@specialolympics.org.za