|
By Evelina Palsson
 |
|
Special Olympics North Carolina gymnast Carlton Morris was inducted into the North Carolina Gymnastics Hall of Fame on 12 January 2008. He is the first special needs gymnast named to the Hall of Fame. Photos courtesy of Special Olympics North Carolina. |
Twelve years ago, Carlton Morris was a young Special Olympics gymnast with very little experience and a big fear of heights. Today, he is a member of the North Carolina Gymnastics Hall of Fame, and an inspiration for other Special Olympics athletes as well as anyone who has to overcome obstacles in life.
You have to have a good attitude and do your best, said Morris. I am so excited!
Morris, who is 29, is the first Special Olympics athlete ever to be induced into the Gymnastics Hall of Fame, and the only special needs gymnast to have received the honor. He was honored in a 12 January ceremony at North Raleigh Gymnastics during the North Carolina qualifier competition for male gymnasts across the state, which brought 200 competitors to Raleigh.
 |
Carlton Morris' mother, Mary Morris, was on hand to see her son inducted into the Hall of Fame. "It's not about the competitions he wins," she said. "It's more about the spirit, his willingness to do the best and his attitude about life itself." |
He was so scared of the rings at first, said Mary Morris, Carlton's mother. He just kept saying, 'I can't do it, momma. I can't do it.' Now look at him, he's in the Hall of Fame. I am so proud of him.
Morris' initial fear didn't stop his talent from surfacing. In the intervening 12 years, he has accumulated a seemingly endless string of medals, proof that when he works hard, he can do just about anything. In 1999, he competed at the Special Olympics World Summer Games, where he won five gold medals as well as a silver and a bronze. He won four gold medals, a silver and a bronze during the first-ever 2006 Special Olympics USA National Games in Iowa.
Morris has participated in Special Olympics Davidson County for more than 20 years. He competes in basketball, bowling, cycling, equestrian and gymnastics. He also performed with the Gymnastics World Champions Tour in 2000 and 2004 during the Greensboro tour stop, and annually takes top honors in gymnastics at the Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games.
The North Carolina Gymnastics Hall of Fame was created in 1998 to recognize the state's gymnastics coaches, judges and athletes for their exemplary service, dedication and accomplishments in the sport.
Hall of Fame judge Robert Boudreaux, Morris' coach Jim Shaw and several members of the Hall of Fame were on hand to officially induct Morris as the newest member. His mother, sister, extended family and several Special Olympics North Carolina volunteers and staff members were also in attendance. Morris performed a floor routine prior to his induction.
I am so happy and proud of him for his accomplishments, Mary Morris said. It's not about the competitions he wins, it's more about the spirit, his willingness to do his best and his attitude about life itself.
|
