Healthy Athletes village welcomes thousands in GREAT BRITAIN

More than 2,300 Special Olympics athletes experienced a fantastic week of sport and fun at the 2009 Special Olympics Great Britain National Games from 25-29 July 2009 in Leicester, host of the event for the second time.  During the five days almost 1,300 athletes visited the Healthy Athletes Village and 3,898 screenings were conducted.

 The Healthy Athletes Village, located in the Olympic Town and in the shadow of Leicester Walkers Stadium, was a big hit for athletes, coaches and visitors.
 

For the first time in the history of Special Olympics Great Britain, six Healthy Athletes disciplines were offered, accommodated in six marquees and all under one roof.  A Health Promotion screening was held and run by the newly trained Clinical Director Jim Blair.  Blair was supported by the British Heart Foundation, volunteers from the St. George’s University London and nurses from Derbyshire County Health Service, who provided blood sugar and blood pressure tests for athletes.

In the first two days of screenings 18 athletes were seen with blood pressure over 160, another warning outlining the importance of Healthy Athletes.  Blair, Consultant Nurse for people with intellectual disabilities and board member of Special Olympics Great Britain, said: “Healthy Athletes is a wonderful opportunity for athletes to improve and understand more about their health.  This is what should be done throughout the world not only in Special Olympics.”
 More than 200 healthcare professionals and students from the universities of Glasgow, London and Manchester were involved in the Healthy Athletes event. Twelve Lions Club International members volunteered for the event and facilitated the work of Clinical Directors. Steve Bird, member of the Leicester Lions Club which was involved in coordinating Lions Club volunteers, said: "I felt like having undergone a screening myself.  This experience opened my eyes. Volunteering for this initiative has proved to be the quickest way to help other people, supporting the Lion’s motto: ‘We serve’”. 
 
  
Photo: Clinical Director Jim Blair explains to an athlete how blood pressure is taken. (Photographer: Bjoern Koehler, SOEE)