Chasing new Special Olympics glory after winning silver on home soil in 2005

Thursday, 4 December 2025

Andrew Oswin has won medals all over the world during his 20 years of competing. But he is looking forward to competing in his home town in front of friends and family during the Special Olympics, which begin next week in Christchurch.

Andrew Oswin knows what it takes to stand atop a Special Olympics podium.

The 36-year-old athlete medalled the last time the National Summer Games was hosted in Christchurch 20 years ago, a moment he hopes to replicate this month for the event’s return to his hometown.

“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,” Oswin said, quoting the Games’ athlete oath.

“It's really about doing your best and being determined and also putting in a lot of effort into whatever sport you do. And for me, I’m hoping to get a personal best.”

Oswin, who has Down syndrome, competes in the 100m, 200m sprints, shot put and 4x100m relay.

The upcoming event will be Oswin's fifth National Summer Games, taking place from December 10 to 14 across six sporting venues in Christchurch free for spectators to watch.

Christchurch sprinter and shot putter Andrew Oswin hopes to shine again as the Special Olympics National Summer Games return to his hometown.

Oswin started in the sport in 2003 and is most proud of winning two gold medals for shot put and the 4x100m relay while representing New Zealand at the World Summer Games in Athens in 2011.

“I keep doing it because of the joy of it,” he said. “It's all about making friendships through all the years.”

Oswin says the Special Olympics is “really important” to him because of the friendships he has made and the chance it offers him to compete at his best.

The city has transformed since Oswin last won silver on home soil in 2005 as a teenager. After the earthquakes, the athletics track at QEII Park that Oswin spent hours at, looked more like “a BMX track” because of the damage, he said.

Beyond his dedication competing, Oswin serves as chairperson of the Special Olympics Canterbury Athletes Committee and represents athletes on the Special Olympics Canterbury Trust Board.

He is taking on the hosting duties presenting the Games opening and closing ceremonies alongside media personality Jason Gunn, and fellow athlete Georgia List.

Training has been going “really well”, and Oswin says he feels prepared.

In 2013, Oswin became a local messenger for Special Olympics, learning about goal setting, leadership, mentorship and governance while attending events in Wellington and Auckland.

“I certainly would love to inspire many other athletes to participate in Special Olympics,” he said.

“Nobody judges you, because you’re accepted for who you are … I feel quite included, valued and accepted.”

Oswin juggles training around part-time work as the regional administrator for Parents to Parents Greater Canterbury, and volunteers weekly helping dementia patients at the Harakeke Club.

His training regimen includes weekly sessions at Burnside High School and “lots” of running, pull-ups, sit-ups, weights and walking. “I try my best and I really train hard.”

Oswin has set his sights on a personal best in shot put, hoping to exceed his current mark of 4.51m and break the 5m barrier.

The event brings 1200 athletes with intellectual disabilities from around the country together to compete across 10 sports. It is the four-yearly pinnacle event for these athletes, who can qualify to later represent New Zealand at the next Special Olympics World Games in Chile in 2027.

Oswin encouraged everyone to “go down and cheer them on”.

The Special Olympics programme can be found online here.