Victory For NZ At Special Olympics Games 2007

Victory for New Zealand at the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2007

After only a few days into the Special Olympics, New Zealanders have been awarded five gold medals, six silver, and six bronze. The New Zealand team comprising 49 members is still competing, and more successes are expected during the final three days of the games.

After extensive media coverage of the All Black loss in the World Cup, CCS Disability Action felt it was important to advertise New Zealand's recent sporting successes. The World Summer Games, held in Shanghai, is the largest sporting event of 2007. More than 7000 athletes from 169 countries are competing, 40,000 volunteers are lending their time, and some 3,500 event officials ensure the competition runs smoothly.

Matt Frost, CCS Disability Action Policy Researcher is a rugby fan like many New Zealanders, but he's taking a different outlook , "This morning, like most sport loving kiwis, I was, in the words of the French, Je Suis Desolee, about the loss of the All Blacks. The headlines roared in the Dominion Post. DEJA VU and YOU BLEU IT! The All Blacks were everywhere. And I thought: what does it say about us as a nation that we can't stop talking about and"mourning" THE loss? Let's shift our thinking and celebrate this great day for NZ sport."

The Special Olympics like the World Cup are held once every four years, the New Zealand contingent are there largely due to community support, which raised the majority of the $530,000 needed for athletes to attend.

CCS Disability Action wants to remind New Zealanders that this is a great day for New Zealand sport: we have more medals on the way.

CCS Disability Action Background Information

CCS Disability Action works in partnership with disabled people, their families, and whanau; ensuring equality of opportunity, quality of life, and by helping to create environments of inclusion.

CCS Disability Action exists to make a difference for disabled people, their families, and whanau by removing barriers to participation, and by offering support to disabled people to access all opportunities in their communities. New Zealand is made up of disabled people, their families, and whanau; CCS Disability Action aims to assist all people who face barriers on the basis of disability.

Reflecting the commitment in the New Zealand Disability Strategy: "Making A World of Difference " [Minister for Disability Issues, April 2001], CCS Disability Action's work aims to develop an environment in New Zealand that provides disabled people with the same rights, choices, opportunities and safeguards as other citizens.

CCS Disability Action operates with a National Office and regional management structure, providing services nationally from 16 incorporated societies. We deliver regular services to over 6,000 people with disabilities, making us one of the largest disability support service providers in New Zealand. CCS Disability Action works closely with other disability agencies to ensure we make best use of shared knowledge and resources, helping us to adopt best practice across the sector.

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