Aberdeen’s Alexander Rae was bursting with pride when he found out he had been selected to play table tennis for Team GB at the Special Olympics.
Special Olympics GB is the largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for children and adults of all abilities with intellectual disabilities.
The 2023 event – which will be held in Berlin in June 17-25 – is set to have more than 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities competing across 26 sports over nine days.
Rae, 40, started playing table tennis at just nine years old, after switching from bowls, and has been thriving in the sport ever since.
He currently plays and trains with the Special Olympics Grampian Club in Aberdeen.
Over the years, Rae has played in Scottish Qualifiers, Scottish Disability Sports Club Championships and national Special Olympics competitions.
But when he competes next June, it will be Rae’s first time competing on the international stage – which he has described as an “honour.”
Rae looking forward to the challenge
Rae said: “I was shocked and over the moon when I found out. I told my mum I had been picked and she thought it was a joke because I like to have a laugh and a joke.
“I showed her the email and she realised it was true, she’s very proud and so is my whole family and friends. It’s an honour to be selected.”
Rae’s ambitions for his debut international competition is to enjoy it, as that has always been the philosophy his coaches have had throughout his time playing the sport.
The table tennis player added: “It’ll be the first time I’ve played at a world games, so I don’t really know what to expect but I’m really looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s going to be the biggest thing I’ve done in my Special Olympics career. I’m going over there to try my best, learn new things and make new friends.
“The one thing I’ve always been taught for Special Olympics is to have fun and enjoy it – that’s what it’s all about.”
Exploring Berlin
Rae is looking forward to exploring Berlin while he is away for the Special Olympics, with there being one historical landmark that he is keen to visit.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to going to the Brandenburg Gate because I like architecture, and I built it with Lego not long ago.
“I’ve always wanted to go see that, so that’ll be on my list of things to do. I’m looking forward to making new friends and the opening ceremony, too.”
In the lead-up to the Special Olympics next summer, Rae will prepare for the competition by keeping up his training with the SO Grampian Club.
Rae said: “Our Grampian Club is fantastic. We play on a Tuesday night at the Sports Village and have sections for disability athletes and able-bodied athletes, too.
“It’s a really good mix to try and understand how we all play. I do all my training there and play in the league in Aberdeen there as well.”
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