Iyon Simmons Looking Forward To Event

Sprinter Iyon Simmons will showcase his talent in front of a crowd for the first time in the Special Olympics Celebration at the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix at the Flora Duffy Stadium next Sunday [April 28].

Simmons recently joined Special Olympics Bermuda, which serves athletes with intellectual disabilities, after being recommended by his coach Chayce Smith, a top local runner.

The 14-year-old will be joined by several other local Special Olympics athletes, who have been invited to participate in the celebration from 3.45 pm to 4.30 pm.

“I’m a bit excited and nervous about my first race,” Simmons told Bernews.

Simmons warmed up for the Grand Prix by taking part in the Special Olympics Invitational Games at the Flora Duffy Stadium yesterday [April 15], winning the 100 metres.

Iyon’s mother, Ilethea Simmons, said she is looking forward to watching her son, who attends the Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning in Hamilton, perform on such a prestigious stage.

“I’ve never actually seen him run before!” she said. “We’re all excited to see him in action.”

Ms Simmons said Iyon and his father, Abdul Simmons, will relocate to England this summer due to a lack of educational resources on the island for their son’s needs. The rest of the family will join them at a later date.

“We’re looking to relocate Iyon in a similar type of school [to BCCL] in the UK to get tertiary education, as well as basic life skills and, hopefully, college,” Ms Simmons said.

“It’s a tough decision, but the right one for Iyon.”

She added: “One day, hopefully, Bermuda will get there, but at the moment, some families will have to look further afield to get the quality education that makes students like Iyon included in society.

“Iyon’s issues aren’t behavioural; they’re cognitive – the ability to think in a ‘normal’ way.”

Ms Simmons described her son, who is a steam train enthusiast, as a “helpful person” and “quick learner” who has a humble personality and “doesn’t look for accolades.”