Bermuda will be sending its largest contingent of athletes to compete in the Special Olympics World Games this month.

Owen Darrell, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, said 19 athletes will compete and that a delegation totalling 33 people will be heading to Berlin, Germany for the sporting event running from June 17 to 25.

Mr Darrell, who is also Government Leader in the Senate, said: “Since the Special Olympics was founded in 1968, inclusion has been central to their mission and programmes – fighting for the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities through the power of sport.

“Sport matters. It is through this mandate that our Bermudian athletes have continuous opportunities to develop their physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience the joy of active competition.

“Special Olympics Bermuda is a newly accredited programme, still they successfully qualified 14 athletes for the 2019 World Summer Special Olympic Games held in Abu Dhabi.

“The Bermuda contingent finished strong with eight medals, which included three silver and five bronze, a very impressive collection.”

He said that the Department of Youth, Sport and Culture has dedicated $10,000 to assist with funding required for the games.

Mr Darrell and Charryse Bean, director of the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation, will be attending the games.