Kyle Tomlinson Named as Special Olympic Games Ambassador

25th July 2017

Kyle Tomlinson, the incredibly talented young singer from Sheffield and finalist of this year's 'Britain's Got Talent', will be announced next Tuesday as a new Special Olympic Games Ambassador.

Special Olympics will also confirm on Tuesday that Kyle will be singing and performing on the night of the Opening Ceremony at Sheffield United's Stadium alongside Tony Hadley and James Toseland plus Downton Abbey's Jim Carter, Suzi Perry and Chris Kamara. The announcement will take place with a photo call on Tuesday 25th July at 9.30 am outside Sheffield United FC's main entrance. If you would like to attend please contact Chris on 07713193927. Kyle will meet a number of Special Olympics athletes and will also be signing tickets for anyone that comes down and purchases a ticket for the Opening Ceremony between 9.30 and 11.30 am. Kyle, Special Olympics athletes and officials will be available for interview at this photo call. Kyle said: -I am so honoured to be an Official Games Ambassador for Special Olympics National Games in Sheffield and to sing at their Opening Ceremony in less than a month. These Games give young people with learning disability a chance to show their ability many of whom have been bullied and told what they cannot achieve. These Games are here to show the World what people with learning disability can achieve. -I started singing at the age of nine and I was bullied all through primary school days through being overweight and for singing. I combated this by singing and dreaming of what could be. I have been both physically and verbally abused. My inspiration was Susan Boyle when I heard her sing on Britain's Got Talent and then I realised my goal to be in this show. Susan also performed at the last Special Olympics National Games Opening Ceremony in Bath in 2013 and I am honoured to be following in her shoes. -I auditioned three years ago for BGT and got rejected. David Walliams gave me some advice which only inspired me more to achieve my dream. After three years of singing lessons and shear hard work, my dream came true. I know these Special Olympics Games are making the dreams come true for over 2,000 young people with autism and Down's Syndrome who have a huge amount of talent that the World has yet to fully realise and see. I want to inspire youngsters that any dream is possible with hard work and persistence, a good family and support network, and obviously a big dream. -Nearly 1 million people have seen my tweets saying I would be delighted to perform at the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony for the athletes with learning disability, their families, coaches, volunteers and the public. I am honoured Special Olympics went to the effort of finding me a slot in the show alongside Tony Hadley, James Toseland, Jim Carter, Suzi Perry, Chris Kamara, professional dance groups and many more entertainers. -We are already well over 10,000 people for the Opening Ceremony but we would love to get it close to the capacity of 20,000 on the night. The public can now buy tickets for the Opening Ceremony on Tuesday 8th August at Bramall Lane online at www.sufc.co.uk/special-olympics or 01142537200 - option 1 or at the Sheffield United FC Box Office in person. Tony Hadley, James Toseland, Kyle Tomlinson, Chris Kamara, Downton Abbey's Jim Carter, Suzi Perry and many other acts will be performing. Tickets start at £5. Special Olympics GB's tenth National Summer Games will be held for the second time in Sheffield the first time was back in the steel city in 1993. This is the largest disability multi sports event of 2017 and entry is free to the public for all sporting action. Special Olympics GB is the largest registered charity providing year round sports training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual (learning) disabilities. The National Summer Games will open on Tuesday 8th August - with a spectacular opening ceremony at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane and will continue with four days of sport. It is the showpiece event every four years for the organisation and its athletes. Almost 1.5 million people in the UK (2% of the population) have an intellectual disability. Special Olympics GB provides year-round sports coaching and events for people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics GB's National Games is the largest sports disability event in 2017 and will see 2,600 athletes compete across over a dozen venues in 20 sports in August in the steel city. Special Olympics Great Britain's sports training and competition across England, Scotland and Wales positively changes the quality of life for their 10,000 registered athletes. Almost 1.5 million people in Great Britain (2% of the population) have intellectual disabilities.