Five medal haul for Audlem gymnast in Shanghai

Audlem gymnast Heather Askew has just returned home from the Special Olympics in Shanghai with an amazing haul of five medals, including two golds. She is pictured on the BBC Sport's website and says that it was an incredible experience to appear in front of crowds of 80,000, including Chinese President Hu Jintao and Special Olympics ambassador Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Heather, aged 16, has lived in Audlem since she was three and trains at the Camm Street Gym in Crewe. Her gold medals were for the 'beam' and 'overall'; she won silver for 'floor' and two bronze medals for 'vaults' and 'bar'.

The Special Olympics have been declared a great success in Shanghai and the closing ceremony featured the tenor Jose Carrera. The next Games will be in Athens in 2011.

Heather was part of the 159 strong GB team who were seen off from Heathrow late last month by England goalkeeper David James and Special Olympics Great Britain's ambassador Lawrie McMenemy. They competed against 7,000 athletes from 169 countries. For many, simply getting to Shanghai was a major achievement. Indeed, the Special Games motto is: "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Heather's success is a tremendous personal achievement. We are sure everyone in Audlem will join in the congratulations her success deserves.

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