Special Olympics NZ announces 2011 team

Special Olympics New Zealand announces 2011 World Summer Games Team

Special Olympics New Zealand today announced its team of 36 athletes that will represent New Zealand in Athens, Greece at the 13th Special Olympics World Summer Games, 25 June – 4 July 2011.

The team was confirmed following a Labour Weekend Selection Camp in Christchurch. It consists of 26 men and 10 women who will compete in aquatics, athletics, basketball, bowling, equestrian, golf and powerlifting In addition, nine reserves have been named. These athletes will travel to Greece if confirmed athletes can not attend. Athletes range in age from 18 to 58 and are from throughout New Zealand. A full roster follows.

Rob Torrance, Head of Delegation, says, “Over Labour Weekend all the athletes and reserves were able to meet each other and the coaches and management team. We were able to confirm placements on the team based not only on athletic performance but ability to get along as a group and travel overseas for a month. The selected team gelled incredibly well and the athletes, coaches and management team will all now begin the hard-core training that will last for the next eight months.”

Mr Torrance, a fire fighter from Dunedin, leads the first all-volunteer management and coaching team. Mr Torrance was been appointed to the position after serving as the Otago Team Manager at the 2009 Special Olympics National Summer Games in Palmerston North. He was also the Special Olympics New Zealand basketball head coach for the 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai; that team brought home a gold medal.

The team will leave New Zealand on 14 June and spend five days at a training camp in Loutraki, approximately 100 km from Athens. From there, it will spend five days on the island of Rhodes for a Host Town Programme.

Kathy Gibson, Special Olympics New Zealand Chief Executive, says “The Host Town Programme is designed to give the athletes an opportunity to learn about the culture of Greece. During the stay, athletes will also get to know each other better before the competition begins.

“Special Olympics is not about elite sport. We offer training and competition for all levels of sporting ability and our focus is on life-long participation. Attending a World Games is one part of an athletes’ sporting pathway.”

Representing New Zealand is a huge accomplishment for the athletes on the team, says Mrs Gibson. “Some of the athletes,” she says, “have not travelled outside New Zealand before. While this trip is a fantastic opportunity to compete in a world sporting event, when asked what they like most about Special Olympics, many of the athletes will say it is the camaraderie and friendship. Through Special Olympics sport, they have a chance to participate more fully in the community.”

The Opening Ceremony for the World Games will be on 25 June at the Olympic Stadium; the Closing Ceremony will be on 4 July at Kallimarmaron Panathinaikon Stadium. The 2011 World Summer Games will be the biggest sporting event in the world in 2011. It will draw 7500 athletes from 185 countries who will compete in 22 sports. Athletes will be supported by 2500 coaches, 3,000 officials/referees and 25,000 volunteers. The Games will be reported worldwide by 3,000 media representatives.

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