The only thing left to say is “thank you” firstly to Kayron Todman and Coach Lenroy ‘Left’ Henry, who for no other reason than the boys needed them, gave up 10 days of their lives to take part. 

Lorna Dawson – Education Officer and member of the board of directors of SOBVI made an excellent ‘Head of Delegation’ - much too good to be relieved of the job in the future!..

Mariangely Pinero our guide, translator, assistant, and ‘minder’ who we could not have survived without.  I hope to see her in the BVI this summer and I know the boys will be delighted to return the complement and show her around their country.

Everyone who followed the blog and spread the word of the team’s success, especially Ross and Rachel Munroe who are in the UK right now but sent encouragement to all of us as the tournament progressed.

As always there are many people and organisations that help in the build up to such an event, too many to list but a huge “thank you” to sponsors and friends who I know will continue to support SOBVI.   

To the other directors of SOBVI – Ross, Elaine, Floris and Sessy – “one down many to go!” 

Finally – Thanks Colin…

For those following the blogs of The Latin American Regional Games in Puerto Rico this week, my apologies for being off air for the past 2 days.  The closing ceremony day took us to a couple of venues in San Juan during the morning, but due to pouring rain the planned activities couldn’t be held so finally there was nothing more for it than to go to the Plaza!

As this is my favourite place in the whole of PR, I had mixed feelings as the boys, Lorna, Kayron and Coach ‘Left’ split up into groups and set off with the promise of meeting an hour later in the huge food hall for a mouth-watering lunch of our own choice.  Only an hour and not a lot of spare cash in my pocket is not the way I like to spend time in the huge mall!

I was pleasantly surprised however, as I wandered around with my two charges – Brandon and Ali.  They were so gobsmacked by the array of stores I forgot my frustrations and whisked them in and out of a handful of retailers looking for a new belt for Ali and something pink for me!  Brandon is very frugal with his cash and window shopped (with his mouth open most of the time) as he added his opinions to Ali’s choice of belt and hat and my new pink shoes!!

The promised lunch of our choice was a good as we hoped, but it was time to head to the opening ceremony.  This was held at the ‘Natatorium’ - a superb Olympic size swimming pool, decorated with stages and holding an audience that cheered the delegations as they paraded for the last time in their team colours.  After the screaming for the Puerto Rico delegation had finally died down a little (boy can Puerto Ricans make a lot of noise!), Jamie and I slipped out with Mariangely and met our taxi to the airport.  By the time I got back, the ceremony was over with just a few diehards still dancing on the main stage.  Guess who was in the middle of them?  Yes of course Ali, showing off newly learned Michael Jackson moves!!

Having dragged Ali away from the band we climbed back on the buses and headed back to the camp and the task of packing ready for our 6.30 am departure for the airport.

Everything went to plan with yesterday’s flight back to Tortola.  It seemed a lifetime since we had arrived at San Juan 10 days earlier.  Team BVI was not through with excitement however and the very last one was a welcome home.  Waiting on the tarmac as the plane doors opened was the Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Andrew Fahie who had been following the progress of the team all week.  Accompanying him – Mrs Huggins the Principal of Eslyn Henley Richez Learning Centre, (Brandon, Akeem and Zva Vern’s school), Agt. Chief Education Officer – Dr Potter and members of GIS ready to record on 'still' and TV cameras the triumphant return of the first ever Special Olympic BVI athletes to represent their country overseas.

Family and friends and members of the Board of Directors of SOBVI waited to add their welcome at the entrance to the VIP Lounge of Beef Island airport.  An hour and many TV interviews later, it was time to climb in cars and head in different directions home.  Sadly, two very important team members missed this welcome, Jamie of course who had flown home the day before and Coach Left who was on a later flight.  Their absence was not overlooked however, as everyone was thinking of them.  Still the Minister referred to Kenton Lettene who tragically broke his foot just days before we set out the games and because of this injury missed playing on the team – I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if he had played?..