Olympian claims bronze medal at USA Games
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on July 11, 2018 5:50 AM
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Special olympian Scott Britt, right, of Grantham, and Chase Stroud from Iredell County, also a member of Team NC, after placing fifth in the doubles contest in bocce at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, Washington.
Scott Britt fared well at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games held recently in Seattle, Washington.
Representing Special Olympics Wayne County, he participated in the bocce competition in three events.
He earned third place in singles, netting a bronze medal, as well as ribbons for his fifth-place finish in doubles and sixth-place for the four-man team category.
The trip, as part of Team NC, marked the Grantham man's first time flying and traveling out of the state.
He has been participating in Special Olympics for 40 years, starting when he was 8 years old. Previously competing in basketball and track and field, this marked his first training in the area of bocce, said his long-time coach Donna May.
In addition to the 61 athletes and coaches from North Carolina, the USA Games drew 4,000 athletes from around the country, in 14 different sports.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics, she said.
May, who did not accompany Britt on the trip, said she still kept up with his progress during the July 1-6 event.
"I talked to him every night. He called me every night," she said. "He was saying how much fun he was having and there were a lot of athletes there.
"He didn't realize how big of an event it was, but he was trying really hard and he was so tickled with the third-place for singles."
May went into coaching mode, even from thousands of miles away. At the slightest hint of discouragement, she said she wanted Britt to enjoy every moment at the games.
"I told him, 'Dude, it's not all about winning,'" she said.
"The main thing is that I think the experience of flying and seeing another state, he said it was an adventure. He also met a lot of people."
Next up, May said, will be the state games coming up in Charlotte in November. Britt will again be playing on the bocce team, she said.
Special Olympics Wayne County is reliant on community support, she added, both monetary as well as volunteers. She especially mentioned the need for coaches in the program.
Anyone interested in learning more about the local Special Olympics is can contact May at 919-920-6822.