Leon Barclay wins silver medal in 50m breaststroke
CALIFORNIA, USA — Swimmer Leon Barclay won Jamaica’s first medal at the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games when he took silver in 50-metre breaststroke inside the Uytengsu Aquatics Center at the University of Southern California (USC) campus here on Sunday.
Barclay, the captain of Jamaica’s swim team, was second in 40.50 seconds to Trinidad & Tobago’s Nikoli Lalla, who led for most of the race before winning in 38.48 seconds. Netherlands’ Trienco Martini was third.
The Jamaican made a valiant effort to catch Lalla in the last few metres, but the fast-starting Trinidadian held on for the victory. Both finished comfortably ahead of the other competitors.
Barclay, 28, will have another chance for gold when he participates in the highly competitive 50-metre freestyle today.
His achievement on Sunday carried added weight because he was competing in the event’s top division, against the more accomplished swimmers.
Barclay, who is a swim coach in his own right, did not conceal his joy.
“I feel great because I had good competition against the Trinidad swimmer. I feel special that I won the first medal, seriously. Let me say thanks to my two coaches because they have pushed me and I can’t really complain…I’m cool with the silver medal,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
Gabriel Heron, head coach of aquatics for Special Olympics Jamaica, was hardly surprised, given Barclay’s dedication to the sport. He said it was an ideal example for the other athletes in the Jamaican delegation.
“Leon is an amazing character and he displayed his leadership quality in the pool. It is interesting that he was the first person to medal here… the other athletes will see that as good example to follow. He jogs almost every morning at 6 o’ clock, that is how devoted he is.
“His silver medal represents the second-best 50-metre breaststroke in Special Olympics, and even though we don’t focus on competition, it is significant,” Heron said.
Alecia Newman, who assists Heron with coaching duties, was proud of Barclay’s success.
“The thing about Leon is that from the beginning of the year his time has come down drastically… by almost 10 seconds. I told him he had to look out for the Trini guy and he said he would and he did that. I’m super proud of him,” she said.
