Special Olympians buoyant despite rough start

(CNS): The athletes representing the Cayman Islands at the Special Olympic Games in California are gearing up for the competition, despite a setback at the start of the event. Officials confirmed that the team is in high spirits, even after spending their first night sleeping on a gymnasium floor due to problems getting athletes to their host destinations. At least 1,500 athletes, including the Cayman team, spent the night at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles after flights and buses arrived late Tuesday.

“While the first night was indeed a bit challenging, our athletes are amazingly resilient and courageous,” Toni Johnson, the head of delegation, said via email to CNS. “They treated the delay as something of an adventure and when we reached our host town some 10 hours later we were warmly welcomed. The athletes have been having a great time since then as guests of Lake Forrest and Laguna Hills.”

Although the athletes and coaches had to bed down on the floor for the night, they were supplied with food and refreshments and blankets, courtesy of the Red Cross. The university, located close to Los Angeles International Airport, was serving as a staging area for the more than 6,500 athletes and their coaches before they headed to the host cities where they are staying before the official start of the competition. But problems started when flights were delayed and buses to collect the athletes began backing up.

The problems were solved Wednesday, however, and the team enjoyed the Orange County Fair on Thursday. The opening ceremony is on Saturday and the team will be heading to Los Angeles Friday to check into the Athletes Village.

The Cayman team will then get down to thee serious work and competition in bocce, basketball, football, swimming and track.

Fans can follow the athletes on the Special Olympics Cayman Islands website and on the SO Cayman Islands TV page

Cayman Islands Special Olympics team in Los Angeles