Latest news with #TheodoreBarnes
IOL News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
From Delft to Namibia: Theodore Barnes shines at the Special Olympics
Theodore Barnes of Delft. Theodore Barnes of Delft. Image: supplied 'You have to lose to win. Those are the words of 21-year-old Theodore Barnes from Delft, who represented South Africa at the Special Olympics Region 5 Youth Games in Namibia, where he claimed second place in the 100 metres and fourth in the 200 metres. Barnes was one of 12 Team SA athletes competing in the Special Olympics category. Barnes is no stranger to the competitive track, in 2022, while being a learner at Be-EL School in Kuils River, he was also selected to be part of the Special Olympics held in Limpopo and came back home with gold. This time around, Barnes, who coached and trained himself, thanks to the support and love from his family, achieved second place in the 100 metres and fourth in the 200 metres. Theodore Barnes of Delft was welcomed home by his family. pic supplied Theodore Barnes of Delft was welcomed home by his family. pic supplied Image: supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He is already wanting to prepare for the 2026 games, perfecting the sports craft and finding ways to improve. He is appealing for a coach and a club to belong to. 'I am just tired, it was an amazing experience for me,' said Barnes who returned home on Saturday and received a hero's welcome from his family, who were armed with banners and a celebratory gathering with cake and tea. 'I actually prepared myself mentally and physically. I am training myself at the moment, I do not have a coach. 'It was such a wild experience and it felt different, you have to lose to win. 'I also want to improve on where i can 'I trained three times a week. 'I am keen to participate again. I did coaching for rugby. 'I want to thank my mother and sisters, they were biggest supporters 'I am going to join a club to prepare myself for the games.' Barnes' sister, Zudith Parish said they were proud of his achievements. 'We are trying to get sponsors for his training and he is keen to have a coach and join a club as there are none in Delft and we have to consider the transport.' What makes Barnes even more special is that he is an avid and dedicated sportsman who has done coaching in rugby and is a runner, swimmer and soccer player and has ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which he does not let stand in his way. Earlier, the Western Cape MEC of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie said he 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.' Cape Argus
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Theodore Barnes: South Africa's self-trained athlete making waves at the Special Olympics
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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ '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
