Special Olympians to return home

Team Isle of Man won 17 medals at the World Summer Games

The Isle of Man's Special Olympics team is preparing to arrive back on home soil following their participation at the World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi.

They're set to touch down at Ronaldsway just after 9pm on Friday (22 March), with members of the public urged to go along and give the athletes a hero's welcome.

A final tally of 17 medals was won by the Manx athletes, including golds for shot putter Duncan Watterson, Zoe Lambie in the badminton singles and swimmer Edgar Denyer in the 100m freestyle.

Other notable performances in the Middle East saw Harvey Shimmin claim two silver medals in the cycling, which involved riding the famous Yas Marina Formula One circuit.

Rebecca Maller became a double-bronze medallist in the gymnastics and there were also top three finishes in bocce and ten-pin bowling.

Speaking live from Abu Dhabi, coach Dave Hudson told Manx Radio Sport the event has been a fantastic experience for all involved: