 Special Olympics Bermuda today announced the Delegation selected to travel to the upcoming 2023 World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany (‘B23’).
Special Olympics Bermuda, Registered Charity # 972, was formed with a mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition opportunities in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Through this, our athletes have continuous opportunities to develop their physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community. 19 athletes will represent Bermuda at the quadrennial Games from the 17 – 25 June in Athletics (Track, Shot Put and Mini Javelin), Bowling, Swimming, Tennis and Equestrian supported by eight coaches. The delegation, led by Head of Delegation (HOD), Karen Woollery and Head Coach, Quennel ‘Coach Q’ Robinson, also includes Assistant HOD, medical, media and family liaison support.
Preparing for the World Games is no small fete and included countless hours behind the scenes of preparation including administration, certifications and meetings. While the real work will begin in Germany, Bermuda will join 7,000 Special Olympics athletes with Intellectual Disabilities and Unified partners from approximately 170 countries to compete in 24 sports at this event of a lifetime.
Team Bermuda, head for B23, this Sunday June 11th and will take part in numerous ‘Beyond Sports’ Programs before and during the Games including the Host Town Program on arrival to Germany where all delegations will engage in activities and experiences hosted by a German Town and Health Athletes Program – the world’s largest inclusive health program focused on the needs of people with intellectual disabilities.
The Honored Guest Program includes Heads of State, political and businesspersons from the participating delegations and SO Bermuda is pleased to have Minister Tinee Furbert and Minister Owen Darrell cheering on Bermuda and will join other Government Ministers of the Special Olympics Caribbean Initiative to participate in Unified Sports Experiences and conferences.
Public Relations Delegation Staff Member, Sacha Richardson adds, “Our athletes and coaches have continuously demonstrated a strong commitment to reaching their goals and have worked tirelessly to prepare for competition.
The athletes are eager to represent Bermuda proudly following the Special Olympics Motto "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." Acknowledgements must also be given to the parents, guardians and families, some of whom will be travelling to Berlin, who support our athletes, the training facilities which play an integral part in getting our athletes competition-ready and sponsors and donors who have provided finances, services and products to make this happen.
We also give praise to our coaches and athletes who will not be with us in Germany for the commitment and roles they’ve played throughout the years of preparation.”
The 2023 World Games Berlin kicks off with the Opening Ceremonies on Saturday, June 17th and will broadcast live on ESPN at 9am. The local community can follow Team Bermuda from take-off to our welcome back home on the SO Bermuda Facebook page with pre-Games info and coverage starting in the coming days; The B23 App where one can view scores and schedules of Team Bermuda and ‘favorite’ any of the athletes for instant updates and the official World Games Berlin Website.
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