A JOHNSTONE woman has been selected to play a role in supporting UK athletes at this year’s Special Olympics World Games.

Amy Meiklem, 23, has been appointed as an assistant coach for Team Special Olympics GB’s artistic gymnastics team.

The voluntary role will see her supporting six athletes with intellectual disabilities competing in the Special Olympics World Games, which will be held in Berlin this June.

Amy, who works as a coach at the City of Glasgow Gymnastics Club, said she is looking forward to taking part in the prestigious event.

She told The Gazette: “To be selected for this year’s Special Olympics World Games is the biggest thing I have done in my coaching career.

“With the Covid pandemic, I missed the chance to go to a National Games, so I’ve thrown myself into my first Special Olympics event with a Worlds.

“I attended the LA World Games as a family spectator but I’m excited to be on the field of play and experience the games from another point of view this time.

“The opportunities Special Olympics has given my brother and others in our club alone have made memories we won’t forget.”

Opening at the iconic Olympiastadion Berlin stadium on June 17, the Special Olympics World Games is the world’s biggest inclusive sporting event of 2023.

Around 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from countries around the world are set to compete across 26 sports.

Amy added: “At the recent full Team GB training camp, it was amazing to see the range of sports and home nations come together for the first time.

“This was also the first time all of our artistic gymnasts had ever met and, together, they make a great team that we are already so proud of.

“We now only have two more camps to prepare for the Games, the whole process has absolutely flew in.

“I am thankful for this opportunity to challenge my coaching skills and be a part of raising the profile for disability gymnastics.

“I also want to give a massive thank-you to Angela and Nicola Turner and the many other coaches I have worked with thus far for the mentoring and support over the years.”

For more information about the Special Olympics World Games, visit www.specialolympics.org.