Special Olympics organisers reassure other athletes

Special Olympics organisers say the illness that killed Manx competitor Gareth Cowin this week is not contagious.

The Special Olympics International and Pyeongchang 2013 World Games Organising Committee have released a joint statement about the athlete’s death.

In it, they say 25 year old Gareth suffered complications after contracting a virus and died at Asan Hospital of septic shock and organ failure.

Since his death on Wednesday, organiser have renamed the event “Gareth’s Games” and other athletes will wear ribbons in his memory at the closing ceremony next week.

Tomorrow, local football and hockey clubs will hold a minute’s applause before playing their matches.