Skip to content

Isle of Man Special Olympics team welcomed home after Malta games

Manx Radio Isle of Man Special Olympics team 2022Manx Radio
The athletes were greeted at Ronaldsway airport following their success in Malta

A team of athletes who represented the Isle of Man at the Special Olympics in Malta have made a triumphant return home after a 12-medal haul.

The 18-strong Manx squad took two golds, three silvers and seven bronzes at the games.

Natasha Keig came top in the 25 metre freestyle swimming, while Elizabeth Tinkler took gold in ten-pin bowling.

Twenty-three nations took part in the first Special Olympics games held since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Special Olympics Isle of Man Special Olympics team 2022Special Olympics
The Isle of Man's football team won bronze at the event

The organisation holds competitions around the world for adult and child athletes with learning disabilities.

A crowd cheered on the Isle of Man team as they arrived back on the island at Ronaldsway airport on Wednesday evening, after winning medals in athletics, football, swimming and bowling.

Special Olympics Lawrence Dyer - Isle of Man Special OlympianSpecial Olympics
Lawrence Dyer, a squad member since 1985, won a bronze medal in the athletics
Special Olympics Isle of Man Special Olympics team 2022Special Olympics
The Isle of Man fielded 18 athletes at the games in Malta

Competitors took part in six sports at the games, held between 13 and 18 May in the Maltese towns of Marsa, Msida and San Ġiljan.

Founded in 1985, the Special Olympics Isle of Man team last took part in the competition in 2019, which was held in Abu Dhabi.

Presentational grey line

Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and Twitter? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]