By GARY LEMKE in Swakopmund
If you looked really closely you would have noticed that Theo Barnes’ eyes were starting to moisten. It came when he spoke about the pride his mother Marjorie had when hearing the news that her son had been selected to represent Team SA at the Region 5 Games in Namibia.
It isn’t any exaggeration to suggest that things wouldn’t have been easy in the Barnes household in Delft over the years, a suburb on the Cape Flats notorious for its difficult conditions and ongoing gangs presence and violence.
Living with his mother and his older sister, Barnes is an example of where pride, dedication and family values can take you. And in this case it’s to Swakopmund, for his first international athletics competition.
In fact, departing from Cape Town’s airport was the first time he had ever been on a plane. “When I won gold at the South African National Summer Games in Limpopo we travelled by bus. This was much more of an adventure and my mom came with me to the airport to say goodbye.”
Barnes, 21, is one of 12 Team SA athletes competing in the Special Olympics category, which is a first for a Region 5 Games. He is considered one of the country’s strongest medal hopes and by his own admission wants to do the 100m and 200m double. “Winning a medal would be the biggest thing I’ve ever achieved. I have my other medals hanging on my wall, but a medal from these Games would fit nicely with the others!”
The Special Olympics was founded in 1968 to offer encourage inclusion of special needs athletes into sport and to change attitudes and break down barriers relating to those with intellectual disabilities.
There was unbridled joy among the group of doezen Team SA athletes as they stepped onto the Vineta Stadium track for the first time. Barnes was practising his starts, adjusting his blocks from a left leg in front to the right leg. “My right leg is stronger, this way fees so much better,” he enthused after repeating a couple of get aways for the camera.
While we were talking, other members of the Special Olympics group gathered around and took out their cameras to capture the memories. Barnes is the most experienced member of the team and says that it’s a tight unit where everyone feels like family.
“I grew up in a poor community and was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), at the age of six. I attended a school in Delft until Grade 6 after which I went to Bet-El (a special meeds school in Kuils River). I actually started running at primary school but I could never win.
“Then, at Bet-El I was encouraged to run and I started to win. I loved winning and enjoyed improving my time and building my confidence.
“I told my mom, ‘mom, one day you’ll see me on TV!” I was winning races! My mom replied, ‘yes my son. Maybe one day I’ll see you on TV.” The eyes started to moisten again. The chances are that, win or not, the tears will be flowing in the Barnes house in Delft this week.
Tears of a mother’s pride and joy, at seeing her son defy all odds and represent his country in international competition. That’s already worth its weight in gold.
Photos: ROGER SEDRES
