BERLIN, Germany — Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) Volleyball Head Coach Loran Grant says the achievements at the 2019 World Games are a major boost ahead of his team’s medal quest at the 2023 edition.

At the previous Special Olympics Games, which was staged in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Grant guided the men’s side and unified women’s team to respective gold and bronze medals.

“I am still euphoric about that success from four years ago,” Grant said on the eve of the June 17-25 Summer Games in the German capital.

“The foundation has been set, and now it’s for us to have a positive mindset and self-confidence. Nothing is achieved without the belief that it can be done,” he noted.

The composition of the Jamaican volleyball contingent is a bit different this time around, with a mixed (men and women) unified team carrying the nation’s flag in Berlin.

Grant, though noting challenges in the build-up to the Games, told the Jamaica Observer he has overwhelming belief in his nine-member squad in Berlin.

“I can say the preparation has not been a walk in the park, due to the fact that we have just gone through the COVID-19 lockdown phase, but I must say my team and I have worked assiduously towards our main goal — which is winning the gold medal.

“Based on the performances of my team I can say that I am 150 per cent confident that they will deliver again. They are just excited to get going,” he said.

Aside from volleyball, the Jamaicans are down to compete in aquatics, athletics, badminton, women’s seven-a-side football, and unified men’s seven-a-side football.

Special Olympics Jamaica won a record 33 medals at the 2019 Summer Games to better the country’s previous best of 29 at the 2015 showpiece in the United States.

Through sport activities and competition the Special Olympics movement aims to break down barriers that exclude people with intellectual disabilities, such as autism and Down’s syndrome, from mainstream society.