Tipton's special day proves to be one to savour

Ironically, this was also the event's debut appearance within the borough.

The games are designed to grant sport and leisure opportunities for people with a learning disability and provides year-round sports and athletic competition in a variety of sports for children and adults.

Over 100 athletes and eight teams – City of Birmingham, North Warwickshire, Stafford, Coleshill, North Staffs, Redditch, Sandwell and Sutton Coldfield – lined up for action at Tipton's home track.

The day began with a traditional opening ceremony and the reading of the iconic oath by all athletes: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Alternated

The competitors took part in various events including the 50m, 100m and 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m on the track and shot put, softball throw, long jump and standing long jump on the field.

The competitive nature of athletics overshadowed the theme of fun and participation as they were all eager to get their hands on a medal.

Male and female athletes alternated between field and track events in the morning and afternoon with the action delayed around 2pm when a heavy downpour.

The rain may have dampened the ground, but the spirits of the athletes were left anything while the host club were delighted with how things went.

Tipton club spokesperson Marg Cherrington said: "It was an absolutely fantastic day.

"Everything went fantastic and we all enjoyed hosting it as much as the athletes did competing.

"This is the first Special Olympics we have really been involved in hosting and it really turned out well.

"We had the storm 20 minutes before the end of the day, but not many of the athletes had spikes so we had to take cover before the 200m and the relays.

"Each of the 141 athletes got an award. The first three in each event got medals and the fourth, fifth and sixth received something to celebrate their achievement.

"There were some lovely comments on how well it was ran.

"For me personally and us as a club, it wasn't really any pressure.

"We've organised events with more than 600 athletes before so we took it in our stride."

Special Olympics chairman Norma Hyde added: "Sunday was a superb success – it was the first one Special Olympics Sandwell had held in about 25 years so we were delighted that it went so well.

"Tipton Harriers were so enthusiastic & helpful – without them we would have been unable to run this event.

"Sunday was a superb success – it was the first one Special Olympics Sandwell had held in about 25 years so we were delighted that it went so well. Tipton Harriers were so enthusiastic & helpful – without them we would have been unable to run this event.

"We are now busy planning for the National Summer Games to be held in Sheffield in August 2017"