On the trail of Olympic gold (From Penarth Times)

On the trail of Olympic gold

TWO Penarth sportsmen are brushing up on their skills, ready for the Special Olympics 2003.

Weightlifter, Ben Taylor, 21, and golfer, Mark Merrett, 31, have been chosen to represent Great Britain in the event which takes place in Dublin. Ben is currently studying Independent Living at Barry College, but finds plenty of time to train.

He has been weightlifting for several years and has beaten a British record by lifting 167.5 kilos dead lift, at an event run by the Scottish Power Lifting Association this year.

Mark is a local charity fund-raiser who has raised over £5,000 for children with Cerebral Palsy.

He has been playing golf for the past 18 years, and has won two gold medals, one of which he gained at last year's Summer Special Olympics, which was held in Cardiff.

They said: "We are very excited and honoured to be asked to take part in this prestigious event."

They are now looking for sponsorship, so if you would like to help, please contact them through the Information Shop for Young People, 1a Stanwell Road, Penarth, or phone the shop on 2040 5305.

Penarth Round Table has already made a pledge to help. Mark said: "I would like to give a special thank you to the Penarth Round Tablers for supporting me for my bid for gold.

"They kindly donated £250 towards my cost. I would especially like to thank their vice-chairman Marcus Howells, of Mountjoy Close, who made it all possible to begin with at a pool match."