FIVE athletes with learning disabilities had a special Olympic send off this week.
The competitors, who all attend County Durham Care's day care services, visited Coun Alan Fenwick, chairman of Durham County Council, at County Hall before they flew on Monday to Dublin where they will take part in the Special Olympic World Games, starting on Sunday.
The games follow on from the Special Olympic National Games held in Cardiff in 2001, where 17 of County Durham Care's athletes competed.
David Bewick (Pontop centre), Paul Kerwin (Jubilee Centre) and William Amos (Auckland Get Centre) have since been chosen to represent Great Britain in the northern region's male five-a-side football team, while Susan Hakin (Wear Valley Centre) and Helen Smith (Oaks Centre) have joined Great Britain's female five-a-side football team.
David Jameson from the Durham Centre, who is accompanying the group to Dublin, said: "Everyone has worked so hard over the last 18 months, training and travelling to squad sessions.
"We're very proud of them - they're already winners. The County Durham Care sports team committee would like to thank everyone for all their support."
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