Para athletes qualify for Pan Am Games

Article by Kimberley Cummins

Dreams do come true. Because in the next few weeks those of para athletes Christopher Gilkes and Sean Cooke will become reality when they jet off to Lima, Peru, to compete at the 2019 Para PanAmerican Games from August 23 to September 1.

The pair recently received the news that they had qualified after competing in qualifier events at the Pan American Open Championships also in Peru.

Cooke and Gilkes were overjoyed at the news, telling THE NATION that they were feeling great about the opportunity to represent Barbados.

“It is very encouraging feeling to know not only as an athlete but as a disabled person that you can win a medal and also inspire others. But even if I don’t win I will still feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that I got that far and gave my best,” said 29-year-old Cooke.

Gilkes also shared his expectations.

“The experience at the qualifiers in itself was a wonderful one. Having the opportunity to race against others like myself. So that motivated me to push myself even harder. And then behind it all pushing Barbados out there was [an] even greater honour to hear Barbados being called on the track. So I most definitely can’t wait for August to come,” Gilkes added. (SDB Media)

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