Athletes and coaches using the Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) multi-purpose courts at the National Stadium now have access to on-site restroom facilities.

Previously, persons training at the courts had to use the bathrooms at a nearby complex.

The newly opened structure, equipped with toilet and shower facilities, was handed over on May 19 by the Digicel Foundation.

Lorna Bell, executive director for SOJ, said she was grateful to Digicel Foundation, the wider Digicel family and the government of Jamaica.

“We are very appreciative. I want to congratulate Digicel and the government for including Special Olympics athletes. These facilities are very important and will definitely help to build the SOJ programme.

“Special Olympics Jamaica continues to position itself as a leading sporting organisation in Jamaica, whereby all athletes are treated equally regardless of social status or whether they have a disability,” she said.

The Special Olympics movement aims to provide year-round training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

The disabilities can either be acquired or genetic, and can include cases of Down’s syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy.