The Queen’s Baton Relay is one of the most important parts of the Commonwealth Games and an Armidale athlete has the responsibility of carrying the baton through the town.
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Will Brunsdon has competed in three different sports at an elite level so it’s no surprise he has been granted the opportunity.
Brunsdon has down syndrome and competed in Ireland, Taiwan and Portugal in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and in the process broke 32 world records for down syndrome swimming.
After Portugal Brunsdon suffered some health problems and turned his attention to Special Olympics, namely tenpin bowling.
He competed in the Asia Pacific Games in 2013 for Australia in tenpin before playing at nationals in the Special Olympics in Melbourne the year after.
Proving his versatility as an athlete, Brunsdon has also taken up golf and will compete at nationals in that sport next year.
Brunsdon is “honoured” to represent Armidale in the relay after his mum Kirsty, along with the Armidale Sports Council, put his name forward.
“I nominated him plus I was really thrilled that the Armidale Sports Council asked me if they could nominate him,” Kirsty said.
“I just thought he was worthy of it with his sporting history and the committee felt the same way.
“I don't know that he really understands yet what is really involved because we have never gone and watched an Olympic torch run past or anything like that.”
He is passionate about Special Olympics and he gets to share his pride for the organisation by speaking at events and functions.
“Through Special Olympics he has had the opportunity to become and ambassador for Special Olympics and he goes around and gives presentations to different organisations and talks to them about what it means to him, what he has achieved through it and we usually do a slideshow that shows everyone having a great time in Special Olympics,” Kirsty said.
“It has given him the opportunity to continue his sport, to try different things.”
Kirsty said Special Olympics gives athletes the chance to pull on representative jerseys with a range of sports included in the program.
“They attend regional, state competitions and then get selected to nationals along the way,” she said.
“That opens up social aspects, opportunities to catch up with friends from different regions and to make new friends and to continue working for physical health.”
The Queen’s Baton Relay comes through Armidale on February 1, 2018.