APPROXIMATELY 20 athletes recently participated in the St James Parish Special Olympics as they prepare for next month’s National Summer Games and the final challenge — the international Summer Games to be held in Ireland.

The 2002 parish team is sponsored by the Jamaica Public Service Company and members of the utility company’s community relations department acted as volunteers at the recently staged games. The special education department of the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College also provided volunteers.

The activities included bocce, an Italian ball-throwing game, softball as well as track events. Participants came from the Montego Bay Infirmary, the Catherine Hall special education unit and the Montego Bay School of Hope.

Special Olympics is the world’s largest programme of sports training and competition for persons with mental and physical disabilities. There is no age limit and the Games, which give all participating athletes a chance to be on a winning team, is a motivational event that helps build self-esteem.

International Games are held every two years, with World Winter and World Summer Games alternating. This year’s Summer Games will see Special Olympians from 140 countries, including Jamaica, participating.