Four-medal haul for Medway's Special Olympian
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Friends, family, classmates and Civic leaders came together to celebrate the achievements of Medway's first ever Olympic gold medalist. A special civic reception was held at Bradfields School to welcome home Victoria Loftus, Medway's Special Olympian. Medway's gymnastic star scooped four medals - including one gold - at the Special Olympics in Shanghai. |
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Victoria Loftus's superb performance in the vault won her the top prize while her performance on the beam and uneven bars both earned her bronze medals.
To top it all off, she also won a bronze in the all-around competition for her Special Olympics Level 1 category.
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Victoria, 15, was competing at the Shanghai International Gymnastics Centre in one of the final events of the Special Olympics World Summer Games in China on Wednesday, 10 October. Her success came in spite of a stomach bug that disrupted her final preparations and threatened to prevent her from competing altogether. Her mum Sue Mackey said: "Her bars, beam and vault were the best I've ever seen them. She performed without a nerve in sight and positively embraced the experience. |
"I've always been extremely proud of Victoria but words cannot express what a joy it is to be able to say she is now a world champion gymnast."
Victoria, who attends Bradfields School, was born 12 weeks premature, leaving her with learning and hearing difficulties.
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Her success in Shanghai means she has achieved her sporting ambition of winning a gold medal at a major international games. The 12th Special Olympics World Summer Games is the largest disability sports event taking place in the world in 2007. Victoria was one of 159 British Athletes with learning disabilities and 50 coaches in China to represent Great Britain. |
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They returned with a record 84 gold, 83 silver and 57 bronze medals between them.
Victoria is one of Medway 2012's young sporting stars and receives assistance with her sporting career through Medway Council's Elite Athlete Support Programme.