Rockhampton’s Karen Messmer, 16, will represent Australia as part of the equestrian team in Berlin. Image supplied.
Australia sends Special Olympics athletes to compete on world stage
Sixty-four Australian athletes are leaving home soil today to represent their country in the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.
The world’s largest inclusive sporting event, the Special Olympics World Games takes place every four years in different host countries. As the organisation’s biggest event yet, the 2023 competition invites some 7,000 inspiring athletes from across the globe with intellectual disability to compete.
After months of training, the Australian team is poised to compete across nine of the 26 different sporting events within the Special Olympics, including; athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, golf, gymnastic, swimming, tennis, and equestrian.
The four Australian equestrian athletes on their way to Berlin are Karen Messmer, 16, from Rockhampton; Oliver King, 16, from Brisbane; Jaye Barnesby, 20, from Perth; and Isabella Parisi, 23, from the Gold Coast. All four athletes are set to compete at their first World Games and will compete borrowed horses in three events each. Karen, Oliver and Isabella are doing dressage, English trail and equitation, and Jaye is doing dressage, equitation and equitation jumping. Equestrian Life wishes them the very best of luck!
Oliver King, 16, from Brisbane is part of the equestrian team. . Image supplied.
Perth’s Jaye Barnesby, 20, is part of the equestrian team. Image supplied.
Recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Special Olympics World Games is anticipated to host 300,000 spectators this year. Crowds will be supporting their teams and watching on as thousands of athletes compete in the biggest multi-sport event to be held in Germany since the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
To mark the occasion, a farewell ceremony is being hosted at Brisbane Airport today, with industry leaders and MPs in attendance to send off the athletes.
Australian equestrian team member Isabella Parisi, 23, from the Gold Coast. Image supplied.
“Sport can help provide individuals living with intellectual disability and autism with personal achievement, pride, and inclusion. Special Olympics provides a space where the world can see this first hand, and I am incredibly proud of the Australian team heading off to the World Games today. We have an outstanding line up of athletes and we can’t wait for Australia to see what they will show us on the world stage. It will be inspiring!” said Pierre Comis, Chief Executive Officer at Special Olympics Australia.
For those wanting to support the Games from home, events will be streamed globally. Or to follow the Australian Special Olympics Team here.
Source: Icon Agency press release / Edited by EQ Life
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