Phil Lil learned a valuable lesson when officiating at the Special Olympics Otago secondary schools swimming championships at Moana Pool yesterday.
He was one of a group of students from the Otago Sport and Adventure course at the Otago Polytechnic officiating at the annual ribbon day.
He was a timekeeper.
Special Olympics is sport organised for people with physical and mental disabilities and is designed to integrate them into the community.
His experience as a time-keeper opened Lil's eyes to the passion and commitment displayed in the sport.
"You can see by their faces that everyone enjoyed it," Lil said.
The competitors worked hard in the water and were ecstatic if they finished in the top three and gained a ribbon.
There was also courage and satisfaction shown by those who found swimming difficult because of their disabilities.
They gained personal victories by displaying endurance and just finishing their 25m or 50m races.
The polytechnic students gained practical experience from helping at the event and have to write a report on the organisation of the event for their tutor, Geoff Simons.
Seventy-four students from schools in Oamaru, Roxburgh, Milton and Dunedin entered for the swimming championships.
Kenny Chor (18), who is autistic, was the only pupil from Roxburgh Area School competing.
He lives at the Roxburgh Hydro Village and was first in the 25m breaststroke and runner-up in the 25m and 50m freestyle.
Chor is dedicated to his swimming and travels to Alexandra twice a week to train in the local pool.
He also enjoys indoor bowls and playing the piano.
Anna Taal (14), who has Down syndrome, was one of five pupils from Tokomairiro High School in Milton competing.
She finished third in the 25m freestyle and backstroke.
Chase Henderson (Logan Park High School) and Ricky White (Sara Cohen) were two of the stars of the meeting and did high fives after winning their races.
