An inspiration to all

THE NAME Vincent Evans may not mean anything to the majority of readers or the public at large. But the handful of persons who were in the National Stadium on Saturday, will long remember Vincent Evans.

It is not because he burned up the track and turned in a record-breaking time. It is because Vincent Evans demonstrated extraordinary courage and grit in the true spirit of Special Olympics.

This 40-year-old Kingstonian, with an obvious limp and unsteady gait, decided to participate in the 400-metre walk and while the other competitors sped away, Vincent kept a steady pace, putting one foot slowly in front of the other as he made his way to the finish line.

The two-day Special Olympics Games which saw more than 500 mentally retarded competitors participating in a variety of sporting events was not a crowd puller, although there was no charge to watch these events. Such a pity. Here were athletes from across the island living out the motto of Special Olympics. "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Here were volunteers, including the Cadets Corps of Mona High School exhibiting patience in helping to organise the athletes so that the programme ran smoothly.

The mission of Jamaica Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in Olympic-type sports for persons with mental retardation. The programme offers them real physical benefits and a vehicle for social integration and accomplishment.

Researchers at Yale University recently found that Special Olympics athletes performed better in school, at work and at home, the longer they participated in the programme. Special Olympics is doing an excellent job to help persons with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities become productive and respected members of society. And the effects of training and competition had done wonders for their self-esteem.

We salute the coaches, volunteers, Jamaica Constabulary Force Torch Run and corporate sponsors for supporting the efforts of Special Olympics.

The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner.

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