Namibian sprinter Louise Segaria reached the final of the women’s 200 metres (m) on Sunday after winning heat one of her event at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games underway in Berlin, Germany.
Segaria was the second and last Namibian athlete to compete on the day, outclassing her competitors as she clocked 30.56 seconds to cross the line first.
This year’s championships, dubbed as one of the most inclusive, will see over 6 500 Special Olympics athletes and unified partners (athletes without intellectual disabilities) from 176 delegations competing for silverware in the different sporting codes.
The games are being held under the theme; ‘#UnbeatableTogether and athletes are united in taking the Special Olympics oath promising, ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.’
On Sunday afternoon, Sagaria came first in her heat, beating Anja van Helden of Switzerland and Widjmy Charles of Haiti to the line.
Despite winning her heat, the fastest time of the Level A 200m was posted by Sele Barrios of Venezuela, who clocked a time of 28.25 seconds in heat two of the championships.
The 200m final will be contested on Monday from 11h00.
The Special Olympics World Games are being held from 18 to 25 June 2023 in Berlin.
Namibia is represented in athletics, cycling and 3×3 basketball.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency