Competitotors warm up for dwarf olympics

May 2 2007 By Poppy Brady, Birmingham Mail

COMPETITORS from as far as Belgium and Norway are arriving in Birmingham for three days of competition at the 14th National Open Dwarf Games.

The unique games, being opened by Lord Mayor Coun Mike Sharpe, are attracting athletes who will compete in track and field events, swimming, badminton, hockey, football and basketball competitions.

But much of the work behind the scenes is down to pocket dynamo April Barrett, chairman of the West Midlands Dwarf Athletics Association, who has campaigned for the rights of restricted growth people for the past decade.

She has even lobbied Parliament and appeared on Channel FourÕs Richard and Judy Show in a national bid to get dwarfs treated with respect instead of ridicule.

"The success of the games shows that people of restricted growth have finally been accepted in the world of sport," said April, from Ladywood, who first became involved with the games when her 18-year-old son Luke competed in them as a boy of eight.

Over the past ten years, he has taken a gold and silver medals in running events.

"The games are also important as we are attracting more young athletes to the Paralympic Games.

"We are hoping for four paralympians in the 2008 games and then perhaps eight in 2012. All the time more are getting involved. We have 26 new athletes competing in these games this weekend. (5/6/7)

A future Paralympic hopeful 12-year-old Eleanor Simmonds, from Aldridge, will be competing in the swimming events at Darlaston Baths in Victoria Road.

The main field and track events in the games, sponsored by npower and the Gentleman's Night Out charity, will be held at Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr on Saturday with swimming at Darlaston and hockey, football, badminton and basketball at Willenhall Sports College on Sunday and Monday.