Blackpool latest batch of athletes will be cheered on all the way when they take on the rest of the country this week.



The swimmers, from local multi disability swimming club Blackpool Polar Bears, are competing in the Special Olympics National Games at Sheffield, flying the flag for the resort as a hotbed for disability sport.

The Polar Bears, who train at Moor Park Health and Leisure Centre, consist of swimmers with learning disabilities and have a great track record of coming home from major championships with medals.

Last time out, six competitors from the Polar Bears won medals representing the North West region and this year eight new swimmers have travelled to Yorkshire attempting to bring more medals back to the resort.

To celebrate the swimmers success in qualifying for the competition and to wish them good luck for the week ahead, the Polar Bears were given a special send off by Mayor of Blackpool, Ian Coleman and Blackpool councillors.

Cllr Maria Kirkland, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “The Polar Bears are fantastic and we will be supporting them all the way over the next few weeks.

“We’re really proud that we can help the Polar Bears train by using Moor Park pool and are really hopeful that that training will help them bring home some medals and secure Blackpool’s place as a hotbed for disability sport.”

For more information about the Polar Bears, visit www.blackpoolpolarbears.com