Theodore Barnes: South Africa's self-trained athlete making waves at the Special Olympics

IOL News

08-07-2025

Theodore Barnes, a self-trained athlete from Delft, is representing South Africa at the Special Olympics in Namibia.
Image: Team SA
There is something very special about 21-year-old Theodore Barnes from Delft who is representing South Africa at the Special Olympics in Namibia for athletics.
He is self-trained and his own coach, under the watchful eye of his devoted family who helped him train for months.
Barnes is currently one of 12 Team SA athletes who are competing in the Region Five Games, Special Olympics category, and flew join the games last week.
The games feature athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Barnes is no stranger to the competitive track.
In 2022, while a learner at Be-EL School in Kuils River, he was selected to be part of the Special Olympics held in Limpopo and returned with gold.
What makes Barnes even more special is that he does not let his Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) stand in his way.
Speaking with his sister, Zudith Parish, she said their family was thrilled that he was selected.
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'We are very proud of him and my mother, Marjorie, when she heard that he has been selected, she jumped into the air,' she said.
'He just celebrated his 21st birthday and he was given a new pair of running spikes as a gift so it came at the right time.
'For two years he coached rugby and played club rugby in Delft for six years.
'Theodore never ran for a club but for his school.
'He has been training himself using videos on YouTube.
"We will go with him to the sports field and we will time him.
'He does not have a coach and is seeking a club.'
Theodore Barnes, a self-trained athlete from Delft, is representing South Africa at the Special Olympics in Namibia, is with his family before his departure.
Image: supplied
Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC, Ricardo Mackenzie, wished Barnes well.
'He is a true example of what can be achieved through hard work, commitment and belief. Sport has the power to bring hope and joy to our communities and he is spreading that hope to others. He is a true role model for other athletes and we will be cheering him on as he competes at this competition."
During an interview with Team SA media, Barnes said he always dreamed of being on television and told of how competitive athletics started at school.
Theodore Barnes, is representing SA at the Special Olympics in Namibia. Team SA pics Theodore Barnes, is representing SA at the Special Olympics in Namibia. Team SA pics
Image: Team SA pics