The Great Britain team has finished with 179 medals – including 68 golds – at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.
In all, 115 competitors from Special Olympics GB won 68 golds, 69 silvers and 42 bronze medals across 19 sports. Additionally, 29 competitors finished fourth.
Across 12 days, approximately 7,000 athletes from 177 countries competed in 25 sports at the biggest Special Olympics World Games to date. They were cheered on by 500,000 spectators.
British athletes won medals across a range of sports, including: aquatics, open water swimming, athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, cycling, equestrian, football, golf, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, judo, kayaking, powerlifting, table tennis and tennis.
Special Olympics GB’s 11-a-side football team were champions thanks to a 5-3 penalty shoot-out victory over Bangladesh after extra-time had finished 3-3. They remained unbeaten throughout the Games.
All competitors received praise from their coaches for their hard work, dedication and often going beyond expectations.
Some of the stars of the World Games spoke to the BBC. Bolton-based cyclist Kiera Byland, who won three golds, told the BBC: “I loved winning the three gold medals and thought that would be the best part – but just being here was just as good.”
Equestrian rider Georgina Maton, from Hertfordshire, was also a triple gold medallist. She said: “I have always dreamed of it but I didn’t really think I would have achieved what I have achieved.”
