Special Olympians do Goa proud
Bag 7 gold medals at World Games
PANJIM, OCT 12 - Goa's special Olympians captured 10 medals including seven
gold at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games at Jiangwan Stadium,
Shanghai (China).
Goa's gold medal haul at the Special Olympics World Summer Games included
top-notch performances Swapnil Naik in badminton and Frenzil D'Silva in
athletics.
Swapnil (Lokvishwas) clinched two gold medals in badminton while Frenzil
(Daddy's Home) picked gold medal in 100 mts and 4X100 mts relay.
Nilima Gaonkar (Gujarati Samaj) picked gold medal in the mixed doubles table
tennis partnering Simon Fernandes (Gujarati Samaj), who also had a silver
and bronze medal in his kitty.
Victor Vaz was the chief of the Indian delegation while Luis Fernandes and
Milton Fernandes were among the Indian coaches for the 10-day event at
Shanghai.
India picked a total of 150 medals at the sporting extravaganza including 36
gold medals.
The Indian contingent picked gold medals in athletics (11), aquatics (3),
roller skating (1), table tennis (3), cycling (3), badminton (6) and
volleyball (9).
After 10 days of intense competition, the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer
Games ended at Jiangwan Stadium in Shanghai.
With the theme "Sunshine and life", the closing ceremony offered an
unforgettable farewell party.
The most unique part of the performance was not just the 1,000 square meter
stage, but how it was actually built: 200 volunteers and 60 Special Olympic
athletes set up the stage together in under four minutes.
Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu declared the Games officially closed.
The ceremony finished with the handing over of the flag from Shanghai's
Mayor to representatives from Athens in Greece, the host city of the next
Special Olympics World Summer Games.
The Special Olympics World Summer Games are held once every four years.
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