Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard
PENNY SIMMONDS (National—Invercargill): Thank you, Mr Speaker. As National’s disability spokesperson, I am delighted to pass on warmest congratulations to the New Zealand Paralympic team as they return from Beijing. New Zealand has a notable history with the winter Paralympics, attending annually since the second annual games held back in 1980 in Norway. Since then, we have won a total of 31 medals, including 16 gold, six silver, and nine bronze. This year’s team has been small but mighty, bringing home four medals—as Minister Robertson said, the most a New Zealand Paralympic team has won in 20 years. What a great result.
Special credit must go to Aaron Ewen, our youngest competitor, who returned to the Paralympics this year after an injury which prevented him from competing in 2018. This year, despite being unable to finish two events, Aaron still ranked ninth in the men’s super-G sitting and the men’s slalom sitting.
Adam Hall, one of our veteran Paralympians, added two bronze medals to his collection of three, amassed over an amazing 16-year career representing New Zealand.
Corey Peters continued to demonstrate what a special athlete he is with his drive and determination, on his first hectic two days competing in Beijing earning a gold in the men’s downhill sitting competition and a silver in the men’s super-G sitting.
Corey, Adam, and Aaron have made us all proud and have shown us that there really can be triumph over adversity, with the moments of triumph all the sweeter because of the struggles that they each have, as individuals, faced. Living with a disability takes courage and determination, and to then go on and scale the heights that our Paralympic team have done reflects remarkable fortitude. We can all learn from their actions. Despite what life has thrown at each of these men, they have not backed down and have not given up. Instead, they have set goals and focused with determination.
Corey, Adam, and Aaron are a great inspiration to us, but more particularly they are wonderful role models to the hundreds of children and young people across this country who live each day with a disability. These young people will have watched our Paralympians over the past weeks and dreamed of what is possible, and that motivation is indeed a very special gift to share. The camaraderie, enthusiasm, energy, and sheer sense of fun Corey, Adam, and Aaron showed together embodied everything that is good about sport. As the International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons said about the competitors in his closing ceremony address, “You produced moments of magic and moments to savour … You thrilled, you surprised, you inspired.”
We know our athletes were the stars, but we acknowledge the support from organisations such as High Performance Sport New Zealand, Paralympics New Zealand, and Snow Sports New Zealand. We also acknowledge and congratulate chef de mission Jane Stevens, her deputy Lynette Grace, head coach Ben Adams, and assistant coach Scott Palmer, who accompanied our Paralympians to Beijing and created the environment for athletes to excel.
Of course, the love and support of family and friends is always key to the success of athletes, and no doubt our triumphant New Zealand Paralympic team will be looking forward to returning home to celebrate their success with those who are closest to them.
We congratulate our Paralympians. We thank them, and we welcome them back to New Zealand. You have made us proud. Thank you.
