Support our special olympics athletes
Friday, June 10 2005
On Monday 20 June, the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch will journey through the Scottish Borders, stopping at four local towns.
The Torch will be accompanied by the Scottish Borders Special Olympics Team who will compete in the Games which take place
in Glasgow from Saturday 2 to Friday 8 July.
The Special Olympics Great Britain National Games take place every four years. This is the first time that the Games will
take place in Scotland. Jed Renilson, Scottish Borders Council's Disability Sports Development Officer is Chair of Special
Olympics Scotland. Jed, who is also Team Manager of the Scottish Borders team, will accompany eighteen local athletes and
twelve experienced coaches to Glasgow. It is expected that 2500 competitors, 1000 coaches and 3000 spectators will attend
the event which kicks off with a lavish opening ceremony at Celtic Park on Saturday 2 July.
Local school children will cheer on the athletes on Monday 20 June as the Special Olympics Torch visits Jedburgh, Newtown
St Boswells, Galashiels and Peebles. Members of the public are invited to come along and support the Scottish Borders team
by cheering the Torch through their town.
Jed Renilson says, "We are encouraging members of the public to come out and support the team on Monday 20 June. These athletes
have worked incredibly hard to prepare for the Games and are certain to do the area proud. The Special Olympics oath is 'Let
me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt'. Our local athletes will show this strength while competing
on the national stage. We hope that the people of the Borders come out and show their support to the athletes on Monday 20
June and get behind this excellent event."
The programme for Monday 20 June is:
10:30am Jedburgh - From the Glebe to High Street
11:45am/noon Newtown St Boswells - Bowden Road, outside Council HQ
1pm Galashiels - Langlee Primary School, Langlee Drive
3pm Peebles - From Whitestone Park to High Street
Officers from Lothian and Borders Police will accompany the athletes on their journey. Bailie John Gray of Glasgow City Council
is Chair of the Games and will welcome the torch to Scotland in Jedburgh.
The team have been fundraising to attend the Games and generous donations have been received from the local Sports Council's,
businesses and members of the public. There is still time to make a donation to the team. To do so, contact Jed Renilson
on 01896 754751, ext 2699.
The Special Olympics will be broadcast on BBC 2 and SkyTV from Saturday 2 June. There will also be regular updates on Radio
Borders.
ends
Notes to Editors
Media Invitation: You are invited to attend/send representatives to cover the Special Olympics Torch procession in any of the above mentioned towns. There will be an opportunity for photographs and interviews.
For more information, please contact Jed Renilson, the Council's Disability Sports Development Officer on 01896 754751, ext
2699 or see the Special Olympics website at www.specialolympicsglasgow.co.uk
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