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CHEERS roared from a sea of green and gold in the grandstand on Thursday while Australian athletes did their country proud in gaining medals for the Special Olympics 2013 Asia Pacific Games.
The chant “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie Oi, Oi, Oi” took over The Forum’s Aquatic Centre during the 400 metre women’s freestyle event when all four Australians competing took out gold, silver, bronze and fourth place.
Claire Pearson, who hails from Sydney, came first and she couldn’t stop smiling after realising how well her teammates, also her friends, had placed.
They shared a hug in the pool to congratulate one another.
The crowd was ecstatic.
Melbourne’s Deana Horvat came second, Queensland’s Ruby Lawler third and Sydney’s Lucy Dumitrescu gained fourth.
“I didn’t realise I was coming first; it was such a great surprise,” Pearson said.
“We have the best team ever and the crowd was so supportive.”
Pearon’s mum, Louise, described her emotion as “numb” and said it was fantastic her daughter could share the win with her teammates who are like a second family to her.
“She trains by swimming four to five kilometres, five days a week,” she said.
“She’s autistic and before Special Olympics she used to be introverted but now she is so outgoing and she’s made lots of friends.
“This is her family.”
Lawler was also excited with her bronze medal.
“I just can’t believe I came third,” she said.
“This is exciting for the four of us.”
There were plenty of other beaming faces as medal ceremonies continued throughout the day.
Perth’s Blake Veaney was one of them after he secured gold in his first ever major Special Olympics event, winning the 25 meter backstroke.
When his family rushed to congratulate him he gave them a hug and said “I did it for you mum”.
His mother, Anthea, said she started to cry when she saw him break away from his competitors and win.
His father, Rick, said his legs “went like jelly” because it was such an amazing result and so unexpected.
Veaney’s win is all the more impressive because the 17-year-old only got his appendix out three weeks ago.
“I’m really really proud of myself,” he said.