A special Olympic team in Wandsworth has been forced to close after more than 30 years of competition.

The team, for people with learning disabilities, had to close due to people having other responsibilities as well as a shortage of team members.

The team has exclusively competed in swimming galas for the last 15 years but participated in athletics during their earlier years although recently struggled to attract athletes and volunteers to the squad.

Ann Johnston, 82, said: “It is sad but we have had over 20 years of good team spirit. The team were really supportive of each other. Thank you to Wandsworth Sports Development department who have been generous over time by supplying transport when needed and thank you to our small band of carers especially our committee who have been there for us at all times.”

She added that carers and committee members were all of pension age and were unable to go to overnight weekend events due to conflicting commitments.

Over the 30 years, the athletes have travelled all over the UK taking part in National Games including Leicester, Bath, Glasgow, Sheffield, Portsmouth and Cardiff, gaining a collection of medals.

Two of their swimmers represented England during games in Germany, Austria and Greece.

Before closure, the ten swimmers used to train every Thursday at Burntwood School, Burntwood Lane. Since the decision, some swimmers train with Dolphins Swim Club in Battersea to keep fit.

The swimmers had a farewell dinner at the Hungry Horse restaurant in Colliers Wood on Sunday, May 20. They also played game of ten pin bowling at Hollywood Bowl Tolworth to celebrate their success throughout the years.