Going for Gold...

... in anticipation of their participation in this year's special Olympics in Leicester, atheletes, coaches, friends and supporters gathered for the lighting of a flame and raising of a flag at the Cheshire Academy of Integrated Sports & Arts, Macon Way, Crewe, last night (22nd July). As well as families and friends, officials and councillors of the new Cheshire East Council, including the Mayor of Crewe, Councillor Dorothy Flude, were in attendance, with Councillor Flude assisting in the lighting of the flame.

The flame will burn, and the flag will fly for the duration of the games, which will encompass 21 sports, competed for by 2,700 atheletes, 24 of whom will be representing Cheshire East! The team, comprising six boccia players, nine rhythmic gymnasts, and nine artistic gymnasts will be kitted out in stylish blue and green kits, the costs of which are borne by the Academy. Consequently, Crewe ASi are delighted that we were able to contribute £1,200 towards these costs, and Secretary David Coleman was on hand to present Academy Director, Iain Chalmers and some of the younger members of his team with the cheque which will help to fund equipment for and transportation to the games.

The Special Olympics National and World Games alternate bi-annually with the last World Summer Games held in Shanghai, China in 2007, and the last national games in Glasgow, in 2005. At the Glasgow games, athletes from the Cheshire Academy collected a total of 40 gold, 26 silver and 15 bronze medals, the largest medal haul of any individual club in the UK. Here's hoping for a similar haul this time around. Good luck!