Source: Radio New Zealand
Swimming is one of 10 sporting codes on show during the Special Olympics’ national summer games. SUPPLIED / SPECIAL OLYMPICS
A special kind of sporting fever has arrived in Christchurch ahead of the start of the highly anticipated return of the Special Olympics.
The official start of the 2025 National Summer Games would be marked by Wednesday’s opening ceremony at Wolfbrook Arena.
The first set of teams began arriving a day before athletes – alongside police – took part in the traditional torch run in the central city.
More than 1200 athletes would be competing in the five-day event, across 10 sporting codes.
Six venues throughout Christchurch, including the brand new Parakiore sport and recreation centre, would be hosting events.
The torch run ended at the Bridge of Remembrance in central Christchurch on Tuesday. RNZ / Adam Burns
The first signs of fervour could be seen during Tuesday’s Law Enforcement Torch Run, as the ‘flame of hope’ was carried from Victoria Square to the Bridge of Remembrance.
Call-and-response chants (“We are the Torch Run, the mighty mighty Torch Run”) were heard as the throng of participants made their way down Oxford Terrace, alongside the Avon River.
The torch was shared among multiple athletes during the 600-metre jaunt.
It followed recent torch run events held in other centres around the country as part of the games’ build-up.
Samantha McLachlan and Superintendent Lane Todd jointly hold the torch as the torch run gets underway at Victoria Square. RNZ / Adam Burns
Police inspector Rupert Friend told RNZ his voice was feeling a bit croaky after leading a lot of the chanting.
“It’s all about awareness for Special Olympics so we got to make some noise as we go through town. I think we did pretty well,” he said.
Special Olympics NZ chief executive Fran Scholey said the opening ceremony would be a “spectacular” start to the games.
“It’s here, it’s finally here and we can’t wait for action to start. We hope Christchurch is ready.” she said.
“This is an enormous event and we only have a very small team who have worked overtime in the past few months. We would never be able to deliver these games without the wonderful support of our 800 volunteers and the Christchurch City Council.”
(From left) Special Olympics athlete Jessica Stevens, Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger, Canterbury metro area commander Superintendent Lane Todd and the Special Olympics Kiwi mascot following Tuesday’s torch run. RNZ / Adam Burns
Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger addressed athletes at the Bridge of Remembrance following the torch run,
“What a wonderful way to kick off the National Summer Games,” Mauger said.
“I can’t wait to see the many incredible athletes in action across our city’s stunning facilities.”
Athletes would continue to arrive on Wednesday morning before opening ceremony festivities.
Teams would be based at the University of Canterbury, where the student accommodation complex had been transformed into the Athletes Village.
The opening ceremony begins at 4pm.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
