Two Oakham teenagers have scooped gold and bronze medals for basketball in the Special Olympics 2019, staged in Abu Dhabi last week.

Sam Burton, aged 17, was part of the Men's Team GB outfit that beat heralded Team USA by 26 points to 20 in a thrilling final – coming back from five points down at one point to bring home gold.

Abbie Gray, aged 18, was part of the Women's Team GB basketball line-up that played their way through to the Olympics semi-finals, before losing to the USA 23-9. The result meant the team came back with hard-fought bronze medals.

Both athletes were supported by Oakham people in their quest as Abbie's mum Karen Gray and friends staged many fundraising events to help send the pair on their way, including a JustGiving page.

Said Karen today on her Facebook page: "Myself, Sam's mum and Abbie and Sam, wanted to say thank you to all who helped them get there and achieve their dream."

For the World Games in 2019, Special Olympics GB sent a delegation of 129 athletes to Abu Dhabi to take part in 17 sports. They joined around 7,000 other athletes with learning disabilities from 168 countries around the globe.

The Special Olympics is the world's leading sports organisation for people with learning disabilities.

Their World Games and other events bring together a large and inclusive community on athletes, supporters, families, coaches and volunteers. Through the power of sport, people with learning disabilities discover new strengths, abilities, skills and success.

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