BERLIN, Germany — Some of the experiences at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games were heart-warming like no other, according to Jamaica’s Head of Delegation Gladstone Sealey.

Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) won 18 medals at the Games, but, in Sealey’s eyes, some of the most memorable moments took place off the track and away from the field.

“The athletes did exceptionally well, I am really proud of them,” he said.

“Getting a medal on the world stage is always going to make any athlete happy, but the expressions on the athletes faces on completion of their events and hearing them say, ‘Coach, I did my best,’ with that broad smile, was heart-warming,” said Sealy, a sergeant in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

During the June 17-25 Berlin Games, the SOJ delegation, which numbered 47 athletes, was embraced by several acts of generosity and concerned affection from both their German hosts and others.

Kirk Wint, who went on to win the 50m race gold medal, received new eyeglasses through the Healthy Athletes programme after damaging his old pair when they fell off his face during the semi-finals.

Also, through the Healthy Athletes programme, a number of SOJ athletes with hearing impairment were given technologically advanced hearing aids valued at approximately €2000 each.

The 21-year-old Wint was given a new wheelchair courtesy of philanthropic individuals based in Wiesloch, south-west Germany.

Sealey said he has struggled to identify what has stood out most for him.

“There are so many outstanding moments on and off the field that it’s hard to identify just one.

“Kirk Wint has been and continues to be the face of Special Olympics Games. When his glasses fell and the frame got broken, the ESPN reporter who was there to cover his performance dropped her microphone, picked up the broken frame, and got some tape and got it back together.

“She said, ‘I have three young boys, and my motherly instincts just chipped in.’ She wanted him to enjoy the moment with proper vision,” he recounted.

“Another special moment was hearing a volunteer in the medal ceremony area commenting each time to the Jamaican athletes, ‘Usain Bolt will be proud of you.’ That was just amazing,” he said.

“We were treated like royals in our host town of Schwetzingen and Wiesloch, and they have promised to continue the assistance programme with Team Jamaica. We had two DALs [delegation assistant liaisons] — Ina Callenius and Maren Heinz — they were exceptional in guiding us throughout our stay in Germany,” he explained.

During competitive action, the SOJ athletes sparkled, drawing swaths of admiring spectators.

In track and field they won 12 medals, including seven gold, four silver, and a bronze.

The men’s unified seven-a-side football outfit won gold in the top division.

The badminton team won a silver in doubles action and a silver in singles.

The aquatics contingent claimed a silver and two bronze.

The women’s seven-a-side football team just missed a medal when they were fourth in their division, while the unified volleyball team was fifth in their category.

Though Jamaica have won more medals at previous Games (33 in the United Arab Emirates in 2019 and 29 in the United States in 2015), Sealey noted those delegations were larger and competed in more sporting disciplines.

“We have won more medals in the past because we would have competed in twice the number of sporting activities at those Games. At this world games we participated in only five sporting disciplines and won 18 medals. So had we competed in the four or five other traditional sporting disciplines we could have surpassed our last tally,” he reasoned.

The head of delegation praised the work of the SOJ coaches, medical staff, and volunteers, and also noted the “outstanding” support from lead sponsor Digicel Foundation and others.

He added: “I must make mention of the JCF and how appreciative I am for the organisation to have granted me the time off to lead the SO Jamaica.”

Through sport activities and competition, the Special Olympics movement aims to break down barriers that exclude people with intellectual disabilities, such as autism and Down syndrome, from mainstream society.

The disabilities can either be acquired or genetic and can also include cases of cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and some cases of developmental delay.

The unified sports programme brings together people with intellectual disabilities and those without disabilities in training and competition.