People with Down syndrome showcase athletic ability
“If somebody breaks a record, nationally or internationally, it can be recorded because the standard of the event is good.”
Scores of learners with Down syndrome showcased their athletic abilities during their annual athletics day at the University of Pretoria’s LC de Villiers campus on Saturday.
“It’s a professional athletic event with all the rules in place and the necessary officials,” Down syndrome association Tshwane chairperson Magda Lourens said.
The third annual event was open to all who wished to participate and consisted of a variety of races, including pram and kick-bike races.
“We decided anyone could participate, irrespective of whether or not they had ever done athletics,” she said.
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Lourens highlighted that records which were broken could also be recorded professionally.
“If somebody breaks a record, nationally or internationally, it can be recorded because the standard of the event is good.”
Numerous other professional athletes and sports figures were in attendance.
Speaking about how the idea of the event came about, Lourens said the association had decided to organise an event specifically aimed at people living with Down syndrome as there were not many events which were organised for and aimed at them.
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The association is made up of families with children with Down syndrome, said Lourens.
She also took the opportunity to extend her gratitude to all the sponsors who had come on board to ensure the event was a success.
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