Team Luxembourg today reported that despite defeats the first days of the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2015 have earned the team one personal high score after another and their first medal.

Following the three-hour grand Opening Ceremony at LA's sold-out Coliseum on Saturday 25 July 2015, the Team competed in basketball, athletics and football. Basketball matches against Finland, Uruguay and Italy represented losses for the Luxembourg team, but the group gained a stronger foothold in track and field events, with middle-distance runners Eike Schröder and Ronny Kontz completing their races in 11"59 and 13"26, respectively and Gérard Kremer reaching 8.47 metres with the shotput. The Team were defeated in football against Uruguay's physically strong team, with the match ending 0:1.

The second day of the competition saw the Basketball team defeated 8:16 to Peru and 10:15 to Germany, but a comeback was made with a 6:5 success against Pakistan. Nicole Lydorf set a new personal record with an 8.76 metre ball throw. Mario Harpes was encouraged in the swimming pool by the presence of Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps at the 100 metres Freestyle event, and Laurent Blitgen did well at the 25 Metre Breaststroke.

In football, there were two goalless draws against China and Italy. Tennis player Jeff Lazzarini experienced one win and one defeat and Kelly Toex's local fanclub allowed here to settle all three games on the tennis court.

It was on the third day that Team Luxembourg received their first medal, with Mario Harpes claiming the Bronze Medal in the 100 Metre Freestyle. New personal records were also set in the Athletics Stadium by Lydorf in the 200 Metres and Kremer in the 100 Metres.

On the same day Laurent Blitgen was unfortunately disqualified in the 25 Breaststroke due to issues in swimming technique. The football team was defeated in its first group match against Liechtenstein, losing 0:3. In the Galen Centre, Claudia Peffer and Jorge Pinto had the honour of competing with NBA-stars such as Mutombo and Perkins in a Vip-Game.

The Team will be hoping for more medals before the Special Olympic World Games end on Sunday 2 August 2015.

Photos by Special Olympics Luxembourg (Top: Bronze Medal winner Mario Harpes. Middle: Team Luxembourg Athletes. Bottom: Gérard Kremer)