Bell

Four of Jamaica's most promising young Special Olympics swimmers are set to leave the island next year for San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they are down to participate in the second annual Latin America Special Olympics Games, which will be held from February 19-27.

The Jamaicans, who were specially invited by the organisers of the championship, will be competing in freestyle, breaststroke and medley relays.

These athletes are Racquel Lovindeer, Nicholas MacBean, Andre Bartholomew and Crystal Knight. The reserves are Jonathan Lowe and Britnny Barrett.

Seven years' preparation

Lorna Bell, executive director of Special Olympics Jamaica, said her association decided to send these swimmers because they have been preparing for this championship for the last seven years and they have also shown a lot of potential in their development.

"We believe that it is fair that we give them a chance to represent their country because they have really worked very hard in their preparations for it," said Bell in an interview with The Gleaner yesterday.

"I think that these athletes are definitely going to make Jamaica proud," she said. "And even if they don't win a medal, I am still going to be very proud of them, as this will be the first time that Jamaica will be competing in this championship," Bell said.

Bell added that the tournament would also serve as major boost for the athletes, who are currently preparing for the 2011 World Summer Games in Greece.

"I think this will be good exposure for our young swimmers because it will also help to give a lot of confidence in their preparation for the 2011 World Summer Games, which will be held in Greece," she said.

"I believe this championship will also help to boost their self-confidence and self-esteem because these are athletes with low functioning and we believe that we have to give them the exposure they need," Bell noted.

The Jamaicans won two gold, two silver and a bronze at this year's Special Olympics Winter Games, which was held in the United States.