AN OSWESTRY athlete has won a medal for Great Britain at the Special Olympics in Germany’s capital Berlin.

Briony Johnson won a Silver medal at the Special Olympics World Games 2023.

Briony, who represents Special Olympics North Shropshire, competed in the Mixed Doubles Badminton event on Wednesday, June 21.

Colin Dyer, chief executive officer of Special Olympics GB, was full of praise for Briony’s achievements with her playing partner Ethan Orton from Brecon, Powys.

He said: “We are absolutely thrilled for Briony.

“This is a remarkable achievement, from an exceptional athlete and person.

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“Each one of our competitors has defied all odds to partake in these games and to come away with a medal caps a monumental accomplishment.

“They have undoubtedly brought immense pride to themselves, their families, and their nation.”

Special Olympics GB is the largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for children and adults of all abilities with intellectual disabilities in the UK.

This year, it has 82 athletes representing 17 sports at the Games, which is the world’s largest inclusive sporting event in 2023 with more than 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities competing across 26 sports over nine days.

A Special Olympics GB spokesman added that the Games have been a success across the world, with athletes and school children from the UK taking part in the activities.

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They said: “The Berlin 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games aims to achieve a permanent change of consciousness for an inclusive society, through the unified power of the Special Olympics movement and all athletes worldwide.

“In doing so, it encourages that we can do so much more together than alone, and that we are ‘unbeatable together.’

“The Special Olympics World Games is the largest inclusive sports event of 2023.

“It’s the first time Germany has hosted the games, and the aim of the Games is to help achieve greater recognition and social participation of people with intellectual disabilities.

“The Special Olympics GB team is part funded by the fundraising efforts of Jingle Jam, created in 2011 by one of the most-followed YouTube gaming channels, Yogscast, and recognised as the world’s largest charity gaming event.

“In addition, the unified football team is being supported by the League Managers Association (LMA).”