Rep honours for young gun
AFTER seven years of training, gymnast Joshua Gray will represent Australia at the Special Olympics in Athens in two weeks.
AFTER seven years of training, gymnast Joshua Gray will represent Australia at the Special Olympics in Athens in two weeks.
Gray won four gold medals at the Special Olympics National Games in Adelaide last year and was selected to be a part of the Australian team. “I’m very excited to go,” 21-year-old Gray, who has down syndrome, said.
“I train four days a week very hard.” The young sportsman said it was not just about competing. “I want to do well but I think I’m looking forward to meeting friends the most.”
His father Stuart said he still can’t believe they were going to Athens. “I would never have guessed in a million years that any of my children would represent Australia,” Stuart said.
“He has worked so hard to get there and it’s just incredible.
“We can’t wait to watch him at the Olympics but a lot of credit has to go to his grandmother, Agnes, who he lives with.
“She is very humble and won’t say anything but she has done a lot for him and she deserves credit the amazing amount of inspiration she has given Josh.”
Agnes said that after 15 hours of training every week she was hoping he performed at his best.
“We’re all very excited and hoping he brings back a medal for Australia,” Agnes said.
“All the glory deserves to go to Josh because, although he has an intellectual disability, he is otherwise healthy in every way. I don’t think he’s even had one sick day in the last 10 years.
“He does a lot of exercise and has been working towards Athens.”
Gray will be one of 7500 athletes from 185 countries that will compete in 22 different sports in Athens from June 25 to July 4.
He will compete on June 26 and June 28 in level one gymnastics competition.
JOSHUA LEVI
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