‘BeeGee’ Loving His Time at the New Zealand Masters Games

Otago Community Trust

New Zealand Masters Games

February 3-11

‘BeeGee’ Loving His Time at the New Zealand Masters Games

At the Otago Community Trust New Zealand Masters Games this morning Games Ambassador, Sir Bryan Williams and his wife Lesley arrived at the Games Village in need of some warmth. Their day had begun in a chilling wind watching competitors in the open water swim in the harbour. ‘BeeGee’, was in awe of the entrants’ tenacity.

“You get so engrossed in your own sport that it’s not until you stop and watch other sports do you appreciate the commitment and courage required of other athletes. I’d rather be at the bottom of a springbok ruck than be in that cold ocean this morning!”

Bryan says he applauds people greatly who maintain their own fitness. He trys to keep active working out in his home gym with a rowing machine, an exercycle and some weights. He also cycles around local parks, plays golf and social bowls. Although recently he had a bit of a setback to his mobility.

“5 weeks ago, I had my third hip replacement operation, on the same hip, and up until a few weeks ago I was just hobbling around. The hip problems date back to the 1977 when I dislocated my knee playing rugby in France and had to be flown home on a stretcher.”

Yesterday his hips were put to the challenge when he and Lesley were taken to the iconic Dunedin landform, Tunnel Beach where the huge climb down to the beach and back is not for the faint hearted!

“It was a tremendous sight but I have to confess our legs were shaking!”

In his Games ambassador role, Bryan has been visiting many sporting events and presenting medals at most of them. He’s been impressed by the enthusiasm of competitors, the variety of events and the general spirit of the Games.

“We are just loving it and at the same time are getting to know Dunedin.”

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