Special Olympics Great Britain has named local badminton player Ethan Orton in its squad travelling to Germany for next year’s Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.

Ethan (22) lives in Brecon and attends the Special Olympics Powys club. He was one of eight athletes added to the squad yesterday following the confirmation from that Team Special Olympics GB will also compete in Berlin 2023 at Badminton, Powerlifting and Ten-Pin Bowling.

The Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 will be the world’s largest inclusive sporting event of the year, with 7,000 athlete with intellectual disabilities competing across 26 sports. The Games open on June 17 at the iconic Olympiastadion Berlin, with the competition taking place over nine days.

Colin Dyer, Chief Executive of Special Olympics GB, said: “It’s an incredible achievement for any athlete with an intellectual disability to represent Team Special Olympics GB on the world stage. We congratulate our latest eight team members who will make history and many great memories.”

This week's extended squad announcement follows the initial naming, in November, of 58 athletes competing across 12 sports. Alongside Team Special Olympics GB athletes, a further 28 coaches and 22 support and medical staff will form part of the Berlin 2023 contingent.

Team Special Olympics GB is also supported by Jingle Jam, the world’s biggest charity gaming event that was created by The Yogscast in 2011. The event has supported 12 charities with Special Olympics GB using the opportunity to support those travelling to Berlin 2023.

“The support of Jingle Jam from the team at The Yogscast has been phenomenal,” added Dyer.

“The fundraising that they have done will play a huge part in sending Team Special Olympics GB to the Games. Additionally, by featuring within such a high profile gaming extravaganza, Jingle Jam has ensured that thousands more people are aware of our work, which uses the power of sport to make a difference to the lives of people with an intellectual disability.”

Special Olympics GB is the UK’s largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for children and adults of all abilities with intellectual disabilities. More than 6,500 athletes are currently registered and are participating at one of the 95 accredited programmes within Scotland, England and Wales, which are delivered by a devoted team of around 3,500 volunteers.

The Special Olympics World Games takes place every four years and is the blue ribband event in the organisation’s sporting calendar. Berlin 2023 follows on from Abu Dhabi 2019, with the event having a proud history that dates back to the first Games in Chicago in 1968.

Ethan is one of two Brecon athletes announced in the GB team for next year's games so far, after Joshua Longbottom (athletics) was revealed as a squad member last month.

To show support for Special Olympics GB and help its fundraising drive for the 2023 World Games, please visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/SOGBWorldGames2023