New Zealand athletes perform with merit at World Games
New Zealand’s delegation to the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi included 38 athletes with intellectual disabilities, five ‘Unified Partners’ (athletes without an intellectual disability), and 21 coaches, managers and support staff. The New Zealand team competed in swimming, athletics, bocce, equestrian, basketball, bowling, powerlifting and football at the biggest sports and humanitarian event staged anywhere in the world in 2019. Special Olympics New Zealand Chief Executive Carolyn Young said the team was treated to an amazing three-hour Opening Ceremony that saw 6,943 athletes from more than 190 countries parade through the Zayed Sports City Stadium. The ceremony included a super low pass by an Etihad jet, pyrotechnics and a light show, inspiring words from Special Olympics International Chairperson Tim Shriver, and video clips of founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Te Awamutu swimmer Deshan Wallalavita won the gold medal in the 50m butterfly and silver medals in the 100m freestyle event. Fellow Special Olympics Te Awamutu athletes Portia Johnson and Unity Collins claimed bronze and silver medals respectively in the 50m freestyle event. Special Olympics Waikato athlete Melissa Donoghue scored a bronze medal in the 100m freestyle to add to her silver in the 50m butterfly. Liam Bartley (North Otago) secured a gold medal for the 50m butterfly and bronze in the 100m freestyle.
CHAT 21 | Issue 77, Autumn 2019
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