At 18 years old, Gaurav Gupta has already achieved the number one spot in Indian fencing and he has plans to better that by becoming an Olympian in London 2012.

Following a gruelling final in the Indian Men’s Senior Foil Championships in Salem in Southern India, Gaurav Gupta is back at the University of Leicester to continue with his studies. This January, he was the Runner-up in the Indian Championships, and in January 2009 he beat all the competition to become India’s number one fencer.

Gaurav’s family are originally from Uttar Pradesh in Northern India, but Gaurav has lived in England all his life.  He began fencing at 12 years old, when he joined an after school fencing club.  Since then, Gaurav has excelled in a variety of competitions, reaching national and international levels.

Gaurav commented: “I am happy about the success I’m having in my fencing but think of this as a start and not the end.  I want to further my skills to one day be an Olympian and to put India on the map in the fencing arena.”

He is an active member of the University of Leicester Fencing Club, and also travels to London each Wednesday to spend a day training with professional coaches.  Juggling his academic studies with fencing can be difficult, but his love of the sport spurs him on to work hard at both.

Colin Hide, Director of Sport at the University of Leicester, said:
“The very qualities that will bring Gaurav an outstanding degree – hard work, dedication, tenacity and mental toughness – will bring him further success within world fencing.

“Success breeds success and a successful fencer will most often be a successful student as each discipline informs the other about how to become a winner.  I wish Gaurav every success for 2012.”

For further information about Gaurav Gupta’s Olympic bid, please contact him via University of Leicester press office on 0116 252 2415 or via email at kgg2@le.ac.uk.

The commemorative double DVD set, containing all the thrills and spills of the games, is now available to order.

Lasting 190 minutes, the DVD features highlights including the magical opening ceremony at the Walkers Stadium, setting the tone for 7 days of sporting endeavour in the city, which hosted the Special Olympics for the second time in July 2009.

Athletes, volunteer helpers and sporting ambassadors from across the city have also contributed their views and comments as the drama unfolded in 20 venues across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The double DVD is available now to order, priced £13, which includes postage and packing, from David Sinclair at www.sinvision.co.uk/SOL2009/DVD.html

For an extra £2, fans can also get a copy of the prestigious A Sporting Chance book, which charts the progress of the Special Olympics movement in the UK and abroad, telling the tale of how it has helped the personal development and aspirations of those involved, and transformed attitudes towards people with learning disabilities.

Special Olympics games director Steve Humphries said: ‘The Special Olympics 2009 will no doubt live long in the memory for years to come. I’m delighted that we are now in a position to ensure everyone can have their own keepsake souvenir of this historic occasion.

‘This could not have been possible without the collective efforts of Leicester-based Sinvision, Touch Rainbow Productions, and Sianbetween, whose combined talents have resulted in a most fitting commemorative memento of the games, and a worthy tribute to the outstanding achievements of the Special Olympics GB athletes and Team Orange – the 1,500 volunteers who
all pulled together to make the event possible.’

The Special Olympics 2009 involved 2,700 athletes from 19 UK regions, who participated in 21 sports across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, with the support of 1,200 coaches, over 6,000 families and 1,500 volunteers aged from 16 to 85.

For further details of the DVD and book, contact David Sinclair on 0116 277 5482, email info@sinvision.co.uk
or visit
http://www.sinvision.co.uk/SOL2009/DVD.html

Highlights from the week include:
Opening Ceremony
Over 20,000 athletes, families, friends and volunteers attended the Opening Ceremony at Walkers Stadium with Rt Hon Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah Brown, Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell and Games Patron Martin Johnson in attendance. Special Olympics International CEO Tim Shriver, whose mother started Special Olympics 40 years ago and his uncle was President John F Kennedy, also enjoyed the event with his wife. The ceremony included an athlete parade through the stadium, an acoustic set by New Beautiful South and extravagant carnival dance showcase by London based Mahogany Arts.

Sport stars visit the Games
Games Patron Gary Lineker OBE and Special Olympics GB Chairman Lawrie McMenemy attended the football event on Tuesday. Both were mobbed by fans wanting autographs and their pictures taken as they enjoyed the high standard of football.

Lineker, commented, “Special Olympics is terrifically important as everyone should benefit from playing and enjoying sport. The athletes get so much out of it and probably more pleasure than most. They are clearly very dedicated, skillful footballers but the most impressive thing is the bags of enthusiasm that they throw in. Meeting the athletes is fantastic and I’m so proud that this event is in my home city, for the second time.”

Leicester Tigers, England flanker and Special Olympics Leicester ambassador Lewis Moody attended the athletics event on Thursday to present medals to the 100m sprint finalists. In addition, ex-England cricketer, Paul Nixon another Special Olympics Leicester ambassador attended the Kwik cricket event giving tips and encouragement to all the athletes.

The Athletes
Anthony Ilott age 17 from St. Albans, took part in his first National Summer Games this year and won two Silver medals in athletics for the 50m walk and 50m run. This time last year, he needed assistance from an oxygen trolley for everyday life, but since joining Special Olympics, the year-round sports training programme, he competed without the oxygen tank. His mother Sally Ilott, commented, “He was born at 25 weeks with chronic lung disease and he is learning disabled and deaf. Being part of Special Olympics has improved his quality of life and helped him get off the oxygen since May.”

For the first time MATP, Motor Activity Training Programme for severely challenged athletes, was included as one of the 21 sports, with nearly 70 athletes participating over three days. The MATP programme includes log roll, ball kick, ball lift, walking and similar achievements. Special Olympics GB Ambassador, 2004 Olympic Bronze medallist and six-time World Champion canoeist Anna Hemmings presented medals to the athletes.

“It’s the first time I have seen this kind of competition. It’s incredible. The look on the face of the competitors as they succeed in the smallest of tasks – throwing a bean bag, kicking a football – the sense of achievement is immense. But it is the staff and family members who should be getting the medals – they are amazing!”

Ted Cassidy MBE, Chair of Special Olympics Leicester, said, “This week has surpassed every expectation I had for the Games. The athletes, their families, the volunteers, the Games team and the people of Leicester have all made this a world class event. I hope that everyone who has attended the Games has enjoyed themselves as much as I have. The athletes truly are an inspiration to us all.”

A special presentation was made to Lisa Littlemore from the NorthWest region and Ricardo Hamilton from the Southern Region when they were both chosen as the most-winning athletes of the Games – not for the number of medals they won, but for their generous behaviour and smiling demeanour — embodying the spirit of the Games.

Lee Davidson and Jonathon Mackie were two of the stars of the Gymnastics today. Both are not only best friends and team-mates from Scotland West, but are also on the GB Squad for the British Gymnastics Association’s Disability team. According to their coach, Angela Turner, “ They are two of the top 5 learning disabled gymnasts in the country. Lee was 2x British Champ and Jonathon is defending Champion at floor and vault.

Jonathon has only been competing for 4 years but won 6 Silvers at the last Special Olympics National Games in Glasgow and went on to tattoo his arm with the Olympic Rings. He said,” I really hope to go to the Olympics in 2012 but for sure I want to compete at our World Summer Games in Athens in 2011.” Lee brought home 4 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 bronze at the last National Games and hopes to top his medal haul this year!

Also on hand at gymnastics was Games Ambassador Jahmaine Smyle, current holder of the National Title/Light heavyweight division with the Amateur Boxing Association. Smyle was invited on to the England squad for the Olympics but left when he recently turned pro. He said, “I always saw the Special Olympics t-shirts at the sports centres where I work out so I always knew the name but it wasn’t until I was invited to be an Ambassador that I saw what Special Olympics is all about. It seems like a really great programme and it was an honour to present medals today.”

Smyle’s whole family has been involved in SOL2009: his mother helped make the costumes for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, his sister was part of the dance troupe performing, and his 8-yr old brother was a Puffin in the parade. Smyle’s mother, Hyacinth, works as a PA to a severely learning disabled boy and was also unaware that Special Olympics provides free sports training for athletes at all ability levels. “I think this would be a great for him too,” she admitted.

ATHLETICS

As the medal ceremonies concluded at Saffron Lane Sports Centre, the East Midlands athletics team celebrated a very successful week in the competitions. They secured 10 Gold medals, 10 Silver medals and 4 Bronze medals with a team of only 18 athletes.

Coach Linzi Selby is really pleased with how her athletes have competed this week, “This week’s been brilliant; the guys have really enjoyed themselves. There are a few who have been competing in the games since 1989, and we have about 8 who are here for the first time.”

One of the first timers is Andy Bulzacchelli (21), who won 3 Golds in the long jump, 400m and 200m. He said, “This is my first time at a National Games and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It has been an excellent week.”

Jane Gibson, who has competed three times before, was also pleased with how she did, winning gold in the softball throw and bronze in the 100m walk. “I’ve had a really good week, it’s been extremely enjoyable.”

SWIMMING

The swimming competitions were rounded off with a thrilling 4 x 25m race, with the North West team taking home the Golds.

They just finished ahead of Forth Valley, who finished second and third respectively with their two teams. The North West team featured athletes Calum MacQueen, Paul Fraser, Gordon Doherty and Mitchell William.

The team said, “We’ve trained together for six months, and it took plenty of team work. But it’s crazy to win, it means a lot.”

Team member Gordon is an experienced Special Olympics athlete, having a very successful Leicester games. He’s won 2 Golds in the 200m backstroke and the 4 x 100m relay as well as Bronzes in the 200m front crawl and the 200m individual medley.

He said, “I was surprised to get the back crawl gold. I’ll be back in four years; I’ve still got another two or three Special Olympics in me yet!”

Another winning athlete was Anthony Ilott age 17 from St. Albans, a Special Olympics athlete since 2006. This is his first National Summer Games and has won two Silvers so far. This time last year, he needed assistance from an oxygen trolley for any strenuous activity, this year he competed unaided and made his family incredibly proud. According to his mother, Sally, “He was born at 25 weeks with chronic lung disease, and he is learning disabled and deaf. Being part of Special Olympics has improved his quality of life and helped him get off the oxygen since May!”

Dewey Douglas 54 from West Midlands was thrilled to win two Silver medals in the 50m walk and 50m run today at athletics. Dewey took part in the lighting of the “Flame of Hope” at Much Wenlock, the home of the Modern Olympics. He posed with the Flame along with legendary Olympians Robbie Brightwell MBE (athletics Silver medallist – 1964 Olympics), Ann Packer Brightwell MBE (athletics Silver and Gold medallist – 1964 Olympics), Tom Godwin (cycling Bronze medallist – 1948 Olympics), and Paul Anderson (SOGB Vice Chairman and sailing Bronze medallist – 1968 Olympics).

Other Sports Highlights:
Despite thunder, hail and black clouds, Special Olympics golfers played on! George Brunt from the West Midlands won a Bronze medal today to place next to the silver medal he won for skiing in Boise Idaho as a member of the World Winter Games ski team.

George was also featured in a series of life-size sculptures by Charles Walker Hazzard who produced a series of sculptures depicting a young man with Down’s syndrome. George played with two Scottish golfers, Stewart Braid and Scott Gennell who walked the fairway trying to teach him how to say with a Scottish lilt ‘ochay the noo’ which means ‘howz it going.’

History was made today with three girls competing in golf against the boys at the National Summer Games. Catlin Dodd from Fife who won Silver, Kelly Wishart who won a Bronze and Penny Kitchine from the Northern region held her own and were stiff competition for the boys. The two Scottish girls attend Elmwood College next to St Andrews, and are often treated to time on the Old Course, along with schoolmate Graeme Andrews who won Gold today in 18 holes.

Elsewhere, the senior and junior netball competitions came to a close today at Soar Valley Community College. In the juniors, the Southern region won the Gold; the Silver went to Scotland West and the Bronze went to the Northern region. Scotland West athlete in the junior competition, Annie Higgins age 14 is competing in her first national competition and has thoroughly enjoyed the Leicester Games.

She said, “I’ve enjoyed all of it! I loved going to clubs and meetings, making new friends and l particularly loved the shopping last night at Highcross!”

Meanwhile, in the seniors, Scotland West stormed to Gold, North West claimed the silver and the East Midlands won the Bronze. East Midlands athlete for the seniors, Miriam Lyne, age 42, daughter of Councillor Richard Wilson, took part in her last Special Olympics before taking up coaching. Miriam has Downs Syndrome and has competed in four previous Special Olympics National Summer Games, and won a Gold in Glasgow and a Silver in Cardiff.

“I’m really looking forward to coaching at future competitions” she said.

Miriam has been married for 17 years to fellow Special Olympics athlete, Stephen Lyne, who is competing in the swimming.

18 year-old Adam Meanwell won Golds in the 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and the 100m individual medley, adding to the 4 x 100m freestyle Gold he won earlier in the week.

After his victory, he said, “It was easy really. I just take each race as it comes.” Adam also took part in the Junior National Disability Championships in March earlier this year. The event was hosted in Sheffield where he won six Golds and two Silvers.

Also counting the medals is Lothian swimmer Scott Quinn. The 19 year-old from Edinburgh won Silver in the 100m breaststroke and in the 4 x 100m relay today, adding to his Gold in the 200m individual medley and Silver in the 100m freestyle earlier this week.

Scott said, “It’s been a really good week, meeting lots of new people. The volunteers have been superb.”

He went on to say, “The coaches have done a superb job too. It’s been tiring having to get up at 6.30am every day, but it has been totally worth it!”

There was a busy day of kayaking at Rutlands Water park today, despite the torrential rain!
West Midlands athletes Karl Wilson age 22 and Cameron Bentley age 12, one of the youngest Special Olympics competitors, raced for the first time together in the K2 500m, winning Gold.
Karl said, “I am so glad we won Gold today, it has made us both really happy.”

Both athletes also competed individually today. Karl was disqualified in the K1 200m for a speeding ticket but did achieve Bronze in the K1 500m. Cameron got Silver in the K1 200m and fourth in the K1 500.

East Midlands athletes Brendan Richardson age 27 and Thomas Jackson age 20 were also in action in today with Brendan winning Golds in his K1 200m and K1 500m race, whilst Thomas won Gold in his K1 200m race and Silver in his K1 500m.

Meanwhile, Special Olympics ten-pin bowler, Jonathan Frett from the South-Eastern region, scored 168, 149 and 128 in his three games today.

After the matches, Jonathan was feeling optimistic about the team’s chance for success this week.

He said, “The whole team is doing really well. We are going for lots and lots of Golds! Hopefully I can get a lot of strikes; it’s just magical to knock all those pins down in one.”
His mother, Sue Frett, is a dedicated volunteer and is actively involved with Special Olympics Surrey.

Jonathan was also part of Special Olympics British ski team for the World Winter Games in Idaho earlier this year, where he finished fourth and fifth in his respective competitions.

In Athletics: Leicester Tigers, England flanker and Special Olympics Leicester ambassador Lewis Moody, met the stars of athletics today and presented medals to finalists of the 100m sprint. Moody was flocked by fans wanting autographs and photos, he also received a huge cheer as he entered the athletes winners’ tent.

On his first visit to a Special Olympics competition Moody commented, “The athletic ability was absolutely outstanding and they are clearly enjoying themselves. They were even competing in the rain! This is a fantastic event not only for the athletes, their families and carers, but also for Leicester. I hope everyone gets to experience the spirit of Special Olympics.”

The athlete’s Games Village was awash with good spirits and dozens of volunteers in bright orange rain jackets, bright blue umbrellas and silver ‘pom poms’ were dancing and singing in the rain with a local cheerleading group and athletes.

In cycling, a fall didn’t stop Scott Walker 25 taking two Silver medals for the Grampians. Scott took the two Silver medals in the 25k and 10k, which means he now goes into the 15k tomorrow. 
While battling wind and rain earlier in the week, Scott came off his bike while taking a slippery corner too fast. He got straight back on with no serious injuries.

Scott said: “The atmosphere for the cycling has been good, despite inches of rain and tents blowing away.” Past games experience has been mainly in swimming, where he won many medals at the last National Summer Games in Glasgow, including two Golds.

Another star of the show was young Special Olympics gymnast, Casey Leigh Shard. At 16 years old she has been competing for half her life and is taking part in her third National Summer Games. In 2007 she won a Gold, two Silver and a Bronze medal and received a Bronze medal for the overall competition at the World Summer Games in Shanghai. “I was third best in the world,” she smiled. Members of the Great Britain gymnastic team were invited to the Uzbekistan National Games last summer and Casey was thrilled to win a perfect 10 “against the Russians,” she boasted proudly. Today Casey won four Golds and one Silver!

In swimming, Greater London swimming athlete, Kate Powell won Silver in her 50m freestyle race earlier today. Kate has won a staggering 145 medals since she began competing in Special Olympics, including a Gold and Bronze at the Glasgow National Summer Games in 2005.

Kate is also due to race twice more this week and has thoroughly enjoyed the Games in Leicester so far.

She said: “I absolutely love the games. My favourite moment was the opening ceremony, especially the athletics parade. Everything has been wonderful; it has been a privilege to take part.”

In athletics, veteran Special Olympics athlete, Tony Clarke 41, raced to Gold today to add to his medal collection from the athletics venue at Saffron Lane Sports Centre.

Tony, from the Greater London region, won Gold in the 50m run. He has already won a Bronze this week in the shot-put but did not manage to get a medal in the standing long jump.

Competing for second time in Leicester, Tony said: “I’m really happy with how I did today.”
Tony has been competing in Special Olympics for 20 years now and has gained over 60 medals in that time, proving why he is still such a major competitionthe Greater London region.

Celia, who is severely learning disabled with no speech or communication skills, has been competing for nearly two decades and was one of the first ever Special Olympics rhythmic gymnasts in the country. She will go on to become a Special Olympics coach for younger athletes.

According to coach Jane Whetnall, “Before Special Olympics she could barely walk. It has changed her life. You can imagine that Celia lives in a very lonely world.”

Unfortunately there are no resources to help teach Celia sign language or to buy a simple hand-held communication device.

Adds Whetnall, “Competing with Special Olympics has been her life – her total life!” Today, Celia won two Gold and three Silver to add to her collection.

Jane is also the Academy Director of The Cheshire Academy of Integrated Sport and Arts and was pleased to receive The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. “It was at Buckingham Palace from the Queen,” she smiled.

The two were accompanied by their coach Tony Jones Pert who will be the Athletics Head Coach for Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens in 2011 with 170+ countries and 7000+ athletes competing. “Picking the World Summer Games athletic team will be tricky,” he said. “You can’t just pick the best – you have to pick the best in all ability levels.”

Behind the scenes were top British Officials who travelled from around the country to donate their time and expertise. Wendy Hexell from Hampshire has been an athletics official for 40 years and regularly officiates at the Commonwealth Games, and World and European Indoors competitions. “Since I first started volunteering for Special Olympics in 1986, I have seen a marked change in the training and skill of the athletes and the events have become more organised and follow more of a mainstream, professional standard. I love being here!”

Gary Lineker OBE and Lawrie McMenemy MBE receive prestigious awards
Special Olympics Leicester Games Director Steve Humphries and Chair of Special Olympics Leicester Ted Cassidy MBE were pleased to present Games Patron Gary Lineker, SOGB Chairman Lawrie McMenemy and SOGB CEO Karen Wallin with crystal trophies to thank them for their dedication to helping create a sensational National Summer Games. Receiving his award Linker smiled and quipped, “Buy 2 Get 1 free!”

The evening will be full of exciting entertainment with a stilt walker, face painter, Invisible man and various other street entertainers along with Heart 106 Breakfast presenters Amy and “Dangerous Dave” opening the event. Solly and other SOL representatives will be at the event.

Coaches will be departing from accommodation venues and nominated sports venues from approximately 6pm and the first series of coaches depart from Highcross back to accommodation centres from 8.30pm and 9.15pm.

All Athletes, Coaches and family members will have received a bright orange SOL 2009 gift bag upon arrival to Leicester complete with incentives and discounts for a range of retailers in Highcross. Thank
you to Highcross for their support of the Gift bags and event celebrations.