Four members of Bermuda Special Olympics hope to bowl over the competition in the upcoming World Summer Games.

Seon Smith, Lynn Coad, Anthony Tacklyn and Chrystal Jones will travel to Durham, North Carolina, from June 25 to July 5 to represent Bermuda in the bowling competition.

Nearly 7,000 mentally-challenged athletes from more than 150 countries will participate.

Carol Ferris has been the official physician for Bermuda Special Olympics for the past 15 years, and she said each of the World Games she's attended has been "phenomenal''.

"I've been to three World Games and you just can't describe what it's like to be there.. . It's just so uplifting,'' she said.

"Like anything else, there are frustrations when you go abroad, but at the end of the trip you look at the athletes themselves and see how they've grown so much from the experience -- they've become bigger people as a result of it,'' she added.

Chrystal Jones, a 29-year-old Supermart employee, has been involved with Special Olympics for the past 18 years.

When she participated in Special Olympics in 1993, she brought home a gold medal for 100-metre freestyle swimming.

"I was so excited I almost stuck myself (with the medal pin),'' she said.

"My mum missed it because the bus came late from the hotel. I was in the shower when she got back so my coach told her about it -- she screamed as loud as I've ever heard her,'' she added.

Although this is Ms Jones' first time competing in bowling, she said she's not nervous because they always have a fun time and noted: "I'm really getting comfortable with it.'' 30-year-old Anthony Tacklyn, an employee at The Shopping Centre, said he's really looking forward to representing Bermuda in the Special Olympics.

"I got involved in bowling a long time ago -- about two years ago,'' he said.

"I practice bowling Sundays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Thursdays from 6 p.m.

to 8 p.m. -- so yeah, I'm pretty good now,'' he added.

In addition to bowling for Special Olympics, Mr. Tacklyn said he's an all-around sportsman who plays soccer, cricket, badminton, bocci and tennis.

Lynn Coad, 45, said she's a veteran of the Special Olympic games having participated several times before.

"My room is all full of medals. .. I've done swimming, tennis, and track and field (in past years),'' said Ms Coad.

The Supermart employee said although she's represented Bermuda in the past, the competition is as exciting now as the first time she participated.

"Sometimes when I go away, I don't feel like coming back because I really like travelling.

"But we need more support and volunteers for coaching and hugging -- they hug us when we get to the finish line,'' she smiled.

Robert Lightbourne, public relations and fundraising coordinator for Bermuda Special Olympics, said participation is hugely beneficial to the local athletes who attend.

"It does so much for their self esteem to be around people who can relate to them -- they develop friendships with people like themselves from all around the world,'' he said.

Mr. Lightbourne said Bermuda Special Olympics is currently on a recruitment drive, and they're attempting to identify younger potential athletes.

Anyone who wishes to be involved with Bermuda Special Olympics or who has a child with special needs is asked to contact Judy Simons on 295-2525.

"Special Olympics is a very important part of our community, and I encourage parents to get involved,'' said Mr. Lightbourne.

"The experience of working with (people with special needs) enriches your life -- it certainly has enriched mine.''