WEST Wales athletes have come away from the first ever Special Olympics Great Britain National Winter Games with a number of medals!

Five athletes from the west Wales area went to Folgaria in Italy for the games and took part in the alpine skiing competitions of slalom and giant slalom between January 27 and February 3.

South Wales Guardian: John Hayes.John Hayes. (Image: www.naksportsimages.co.uk)

John Hayes of Llansamlet came first in the giant slalom, winning a gold medal, and came second in the slalom event, winning silver.

Trimsaran’s Josh Davies also won gold in his giant slalom competition as well as a bronze medal in the slalom.

South Wales Guardian: Lizzie Williams.Lizzie Williams. (Image: www.naksportsimages.co.uk)

Steffan Hopping from Swansea came second in the slalom, winning silver, and fourth in the giant slalom.

Burry Port’s Lizzie Williams came third in the giant slalom winning bronze and Llanelli’s Llinos Gilmore-Jones came fourth in the giant slalom and won a participation medal for the slalom.

South Wales Guardian: Steffan Hopping.Steffan Hopping. (Image: www.naksportsimages.co.uk)

All the athletes are part of the Special Olympics GB programme – the largest provider of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. More than 6,600 athletes across England, Scotland and Wales take part in Special Olympics GB programmes in 27 different sports.

Colin Dyer, Special Olympics GB chief executive, said: “Huge congratulations go to all athletes on their success at this first National Winter Games.

South Wales Guardian: Josh DaviesJosh Davies (Image: www.naksportsimages.co.uk)

“Given the daily challenges that people with intellectual disabilities face throughout their lives, it’s a great achievement to be here competing and proudly representing their region at a national sporting event, let alone winning a medal.

“Events in the Special Olympics GB movement bring together so many people and give our athletes new levels of confidence. However, it wouldn’t be pollable without the support of our event partners Dreams, Gallagher and Sure, along with our stable of corporate partners.”

South Wales Guardian: Llinos Gilmore-Jones.Llinos Gilmore-Jones. (Image: www.naksportsimages.co.uk)

The Ski Company and Alpe Cimbra supported Special Olympics GB with the delivery of the National Winter Games.

The competition is supporting the selection process for the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Torino, Italy. Team Special Olympics GB will be made up of eight alpine skiers and two figure skaters.