Cape Town - A teenager from Delft won gold at the recent Special Olympics South Africa National Summer Games in Limpopo.
Theodore Barnes, 18, was one of four pupils from the Bet-El School, a special needs educational institution in Kuils River, to take part in the event.
He took first place in the 100m and in the 200m he finished second to scoop a silver medal.
According to Theodore, it was a great feeling to have come in first position, although he describes the races as very intense.
“I was very nervous at first,” he said. “During the final race I was more relaxed and more calm with myself.”
The teen, who also swims and plays soccer and rugby, said he felt honoured to have run against some of the best athletes from other provinces.
Theodore, who has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), is in his final year, Level 4, at Bet-El.
His mother Marjorie, 59, told Cape Argus’ sister newspaper the Daily Voice that she was proud of her son and his achievement.
“I can’t really explain how I feel, but I’m very proud of him after everything that I have been through with him,” she explains.
“For a young man to achieve what he really wanted, I’m happy for him.”
She She said despite living in a gang-ridden area like Delft, Theodore has stayed the course and had a good chance of representing South Africa at the Special Olympics.
“Hy kan dit ver maak [He can make it far], we hope that he makes it because he wants to take his running further,” she adds.
“We don’t want to hold him back. Like you get people that would say negative things because he lives in Delft, but it’s not about that, it’s about what you put in.”
Although he did not qualify for the Special Olympics in Germany next year, Theodore hopes to continue running professionally after he finishes school.
“Out of all the sports, running is my favourite thing and I would like to run for a club,” he adds.