Source: Radio New Zealand
Penny Towns celebrating a medal at the Special Olympics World Summer Games Athens 2011 SUPPLIED / SPECIAL OLYMPICS
High levels of anticipation and excitement have been expressed by some of the Special Olympics’ hometown heroes ahead of its return to Ōtautahi.
The national summer games open in Christchurch next week, the first time in 20 years the city had hosted the pinnacle event.
Held every four years, the games was a major high point for athletes with an intellectual disability.
This year’s edition would see 1205 participants from around the country converge on the Garden City across five days from 10 December.
They would be competing in a total of 10 sporting codes including athletics, basketball, bocce, equestrian, football, golf, indoor bowls, power-lifting, swimming and tenpin bowling.
Christchurch swimmer Caitlin Roy was set to compete in her first national event having taken the sport up three years ago.
Christchurch swimmer Caitlin Roy is set to compete at this year’s Special Olympics event. RNZ / Adam Burns
The 26-year-old, who has dyspraxia, said she had been putting in the hard yards ahead of the games.
“It’s incredible. Just to be, not quite on the world stage, but to be out there and just displaying what we can do as people with disabilities, that we’re not just in one small bubble, but thousands of us competing against each other in a brand new facility,” she said.
“It’s pretty great.”
Fellow local Andrew Oswin had more games’ experience to call upon ahead of his fifth national summer games appearance.
Andrew Oswin will be co-presenting at the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics RNZ / Adam Burns
Now 36, he competed at the Special Olympics as a teenager the last time it was held in Christchurch back in 2005,
“I have met and made friends throughout Special Olympics, at every National Summer Games,” he said.
Although he was gunning for a medal, Oswin explained the Special Olympics was about much more than winning, referencing the “athletes oath”.
The oath reads: Let me win. But if I cannot win, Let me be brave in the attempt.
“The oath means to be determined, to do your best. And whatever you do, get out there and do your team proud,” Oswin said.
Oswin was also handling presenting duties during both opening and closing ceremonies.
Hosting proceedings alongside him would be New Zealand media personality Jason Gunn and fellow athlete Georgia List.
Heading into the games, the 25-year-old swimmer said she was feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.
List was competing in the 100 metre breast-stroke, 50 metre freestyle, 50 metre back-stroke and the mixed medley relay events.
Swimmer Georgia List will be competing in her third national event at the Special Olympics RNZ / Adam Burns
“I started swimming when I was nine. So this is my third nationals that I’m going to,” she said.
“I’ve done many ribbon days and a couple of regionals. I’ve always loved swimming and of course growing up I’ve gotten better and better.”
This year’s games would be spread across six venues throughout Christchurch, including the brand-new and long awaited Parakiore recreation and sports centre.
In recent weeks, athletes had participated in a “test-run” of Parakiore’s pristine facilities.
The throng of participants would also be supported by family and about 700 event volunteers, in what was set to be a multi-million dollar economic boost for the local economy.
Special Olympics’ New Zealand chief executive Fran Scholey said it was a rare opportunity for both athletes and their families.
“[For most people] we participate for our school, maybe in athletics, and we then go to a regional athletics (competition). Our community don’t get that same opportunity,” she said.
“So we get family members that are seeing their son, their daughter, their brother, their sister, aunty, uncle competing for the very first time.
“Everyone should be able to be given the opportunity to represent their club or their school in such an environment.”
The Special Olympics would also serve as a post-quake showcase for Christchurch, in what was being touted as the biggest sporting event in the city this year.
More than 1700 people would be pouring into Christchurch specifically for the Special Olympics, Scholey said.
The opening ceremony for this year’s games would be held on 10 December at Christchurch’s Wolfbrook Arena.
The games close on 14 December with the closing ceremony to be followed by a dinner and disco event for athletes.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
