Sports Minister Olivia Grange (centre) holds hands with Jamaica Special Olympic representatives Errington Gordon (left) and Richard Hilary, while other members of the team walk through the hallway of the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday, upon their arrival from the World Winter Games. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Jamaica's Special Olympic athletes got a warm reception on their arrival from the World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho, at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday.

The athletes were met by Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, Minister of Sports, who presented them with gift baskets.

The Jamaicans, who captured five medals - two gold, one silver and two bronze, competed in floor hockey and speed-skating events.

Grange said she was proud of the athletes' achievements.

"I am very touched and I am very proud of them because for all of them to medal is a great achievement for the country and also for the Special Olympics Association in Jamaica," said Grange.

"I would also like to commend the team leaders, the persons who have been taking care of these athletes and also the coaches," Grange added.

Ann Marie Scott-Moore, coach of the floor-hockey team, which won the first gold medal, said despite not being ranked among the top teams in the competition, she was confident of winning the gold.

Great for us

"It was great for us, even though we had to play in the preliminary rounds before we went into Division Two, which was the second-highest division. But our players were prepared and ready for it," Scott-Moore said.

"In the final against Canada, we were down 6-1, but we were not bothered about that because we knew that our guys had the speed to come back and beat Canada," said Scott-Moore of her team, which made a magnificent comeback to triumph 8-7.

"We also had a lot of support from Jamaicans in the arena and this also helped us to defeat them."

Richard Hilary, who captured an individual gold for Jamaica in the 200m speed skating, was delighted.

"I feel proud to know that I have gone to the Special Olympics Winter Games and did myself proud," said Hilary.

"I was always confident that I could win the gold medal because I wanted to make sure I brought back home the gold medal to Jamaica," Hilary added.

Monique Brown, who won three medals for Jamaica - one silver in the 222m speed skating and two bronze medals in the 100m and 300m speed-skating events, revealed that she had not been feeling well prior to the start of the event.

"I am feeling very good because I was actually sick when I went to compete at the Games," she said.

"My teammates and my coaches encouraged me a lot and they always give me a lot of support whenever I am competing," said the 16-year-old Brown, who attends the Carberry Court Special School.

Special Olympian Monique Brown shows off her medals following her arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport, along with members of Jamaica's team. Brown won three medals - one silver and two bronze - at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho, United States. The 16-year-old was the bronze-medal winner in the 100m speed-skating race in a time of 15.66 seconds. She clocked 56.06 in the 200m and took silver in the 300m event. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer