THIS was something special. Make it extra special.
The Philippines proudly brought home three golds and two silver medals from the recent Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce & Bowling Competition held in New Delhi, India.
It was a competition for athletes with special needs and the Filipino team members, introduced by Special Olympics Pilipinas only as Carl, Bernadette, Liza, and Marc, made sure that the Philippine flag would fly high.
The inspiring event celebrated the achievements of athletes with special needs and the Filipino delegation ensured that the country’s flag flew high with their remarkable performances.
Carl claimed the gold in the men’s singles event, while Marc earned the silver. In the women’s side, Bernadette took the gold with a dominant performance, while Liza placed fourth.
In the doubles, the success continued with Carl and Marc securing another gold in the men’s event, while Liza and Bernadette bagged silver in the women’s category.
Special Olympics Pilipinas expressed their gratitude, saying, “A special thank you to Carl, Bernadette, Liza, and Marc for representing the entire Special Olympics Pilipinas community with pride and heart. We also extend our deepest gratitude to our coaches, Alex and Ethel, for your unwavering love and dedication to the team.”
The competition served as a platform for individuals with intellectual disabilities to showcase their abilities, take pride in their achievements, and bring honor to their families and country.
The Filipino delegation received support from the Philippine Sports Commission, which provided brand-new uniforms, and Decathlon, which generously allowed the athletes to go on a shopping spree for their gear.
A driving force behind the success of Special Olympics Pilipinas was Akiko Thomson-Guevara, a former national swimmer, three-time Olympian, and chairperson of the organization.
Her advocacy for inclusion through sports is deeply personal, inspired by her daughter Sachiko, who was born with Down Syndrome. Together with her husband, Chips Guevara, Thomson-Guevara champions programs that celebrate the potential of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
This year, Thomson-Guevara received the prestigious “Olympian for Life” award from the World Olympians Association at the Paris Olympic Games, recognizing her unwavering commitment to create a more inclusive world through the power of sports.
“Like music, sports is a universal language—that’s what makes it accessible and powerful. It has the power to bring people from opposite ends together,” she said.
