Ingleton’s swimming gold catapults Jamaicans over the moon
ORLANDO, United States — Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) swim coach Alecia Newman Walsh is over the moon after Kadian Ingleton hauled in the country’s first medal at the USA Games after her win in the 500-yard pool event on Monday.
Ingleton, 32, a long-time swimming standout for the SOJ programme, timed 9:31.19 minutes for first place inside the Rosen Aquatic Center, ahead of Alice Webb of Hawaii (9.56.92) and Ann Norby of New York (10:15.00). Julie Finlon of Florida, who did 9:14.95, was disqualified.
“Kadian’s winning 500-yard swim came with great effort and commitment. She is a veteran in the Special Olympics community, but despite a two-year hiatus from training due to COVID-19 she remained, willing, resilient and motivated,” Newman Walsh told the Jamaica Observer on Monday.
“It was fabulous to see her take on the task and perform at her best and fly that Jamaican flag high. She has crossed one hurdle and knows another challenge awaits her in the open water final on Wednesday.
“Though she is riding on this high from today’s performance, she will have to remain focused on her training tomorrow to deliver her best for the final,” the coach added.
On the men’s side, Jamaica’s Kyle Chin topped his heat in the 50-yard breaststroke to advance to the final.
Swim coach Marissa Hayman, who guided Chin’s progress at the Rosen Center, was encouraged heading into Tuesday’s crunch contest.
“Kyle’s performance was exceptional in the heats. He executed just as he practised and really gave it 100 per cent,” she said.
“Our expectations for the final tomorrow are, of course, very high, as we believe in his potential. However, at the end of the day we just want him to go out there, have fun, and do his best,” Hayman noted.
The Jamaican team is among 11 programmes from the Caribbean competing as invitees at the USA Games, a first for the region. The others are Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Dominica, Guyana, Haiti, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Special Olympics movement provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of disciplines for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
— Sanjay Myers
