By SPECIAL OLYMPICS, For the Guardian

Special Olympics Bahamas (SOB) is preparing for its National Track & Field and Swimming Championships to be held this Saturday, June 2 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track & Field Stadium and the Betty Kelly Kenning National Swim Complex respectively.

Quite a number of athletes of Special Olympics Bahamas (SOB) from Grand Bahama, Long Island and host island New Providence are expected to show off their dexterity in swimming and track & field at the annual championships. These teams have been training all year and the athletes are looking forward to every competition opportunity.

This October, a team of 34 athletes will travel to Shanghai, China to participate in the Special Olympics World Games, against 185 other countries. This will be the largest sporting event in the world this year for SOB, and Team Bahamas intends to duplicate the high level performance achieved in Dublin, Ireland in 2003. This Saturday's program will open at 9 a.m. at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex, and at 1 p.m. at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. The swimming

competition follows the opening ceremony.

According to Special Olympics Bahamas Chairman Basil Christie: "It means so much to the athletes when there are fans there to cheer and encourage them on."

He added that the admission to these events is free and fans will have the opportunity to mix with the numerous 'Special Athletes'.

The nationals come on the heels of the torch run that was held two weeks ago.