The World Dwarf Games, held in Cologne, Germany in August, has released the medal tally and Social Futures’ Maree Jenner was there as part of the support staff for the Australian team.
Maree is employed as a Community Engagement LAC by Social Futures – an NDIS partner in the community.
The World Dwarf Games, held in Cologne, Germany in August, has released the medal tally. Social Futures’ Maree Jenner was there as part of the support staff for the Australian team.
Maree is employed as a a Community Engagement LAC by Social Futures – an NDIS partner in the community. Maree has achondroplasia , the most common form of dwarfism, and was delighted to attend this celebration of sport and inclusion.
Australia came fifth in the media tally – Maree says this was a wonderful result.
“We came fifth overall – brilliant, considering we had to travel from the other side of the world,” Maree said.
“We had a big contingent, with 40 athletes.
“Germany led the medal tally with 138 medals, then was Great Britain with 136, next the USA, also with a large contingent of athletes and 88 medals. France was fourth with 78 and then Australia with 55 medals.
“The Netherlands also had 55 medals but they had 41 athletes, so came sixth, just underneath us. There were 19 countries that medaled, and two or three countries didn’t medal .
“It was a fantastic experience to be there and to see all these both young and older athletes competing and there’s a different range of sport on show, including soccer, basketball, badminton, boccia, and swimming (individual and relay) running, discus, shot put, javelin and archery and more.”
Australia will host the next Dwarf Games in 2027. It is our fourth year of competition. The first team of 15 athletes was sent to Belfast, Ireland in 2009.
The World Dwarf Games are the largest international sporting event held exclusively for Short Statured athletes. They are held every four years – the Cologne tournament was the eighth World Dwarf Games.
Maree Jenner delivers the Different on the Outside, Same on the Inside program to Central Coast Schools.
The Different on the Outside, Same on the Inside program aims to remove social barriers and encourage inclusion for people with disability. It helps educate children and teachers around how they can be more accepting and inclusive of all people.
Photo: Maree Jenner (second from right) with athletes at the World Dwarf Games in Cologne, Germany.
Photo/Video credits: Maree Jenner, BMKF e.V.; Anna Spindelndreier, Michael Bause and the World Dwarf Games