COMPETING in lanes is about the only thing bowling and swimming have in common, but Capalaba resident Jamie Grant excels at both.
The multi-talented 26-year-old won gold in the team event for ten-pin bowling at the Special Olympics state games last year and nabbed silver in backstroke and bronze in breaststroke.
Jamie, who has Down syndrome, said he loved both sports and enjoyed the social aspect of bowling.
He said he got nervous at big competitions but managed to put that aside when it was his turn to bowl.
"When I'm up there, I just concentrate on my own game," he said.
His mother, Ruth Grant, said she couldn't be happier with Jamie's success at Special Olympics.
"He's doing really well. He loves life, he loves his sports, he loves the competition," she said.
She said Special Olympics, which has been operating in Queensland for 21 years and the Redlands for four years, had opened up a lot of opportunities for people with an intellectual disability.
"It's a great social outlet, as well as being great for their fitness," she said.
Special Olympics Queensland is holding a fundraising walk and party at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens on Sunday, October 12.
To find out more or register, log on to www.specialolympicsqueensland.org.au