‘Sorry Otago, Canterbury all the way’: Hear from the excited Special Olympics athletes arriving in town

Wednesday, 10 December 2025

A blazing torch, a buzzing crowd, and buses full of out-of-town athletes arrived in Christchurch as 1200 Special Olympics competitors started flocking to the city for the big event.

Local home-town athletes were the stars of the show on Tuesday, loudly and proudly marching the Flame of Hope through the Christchurch central city marking the arrival of the games.

The streets along Oxford Tce were alive with cheers and shouts from both marching athletes and curious spectators as the Law Enforcement Torch Run brought the flame home – the same flame lit in Christchurch 100 days ago that went on an epic journey from Whangārei to Invercargill and everywhere in between promoting the games.

Sprinter and shot putter Andrew Oswin carries the torch through central Christchurch with Senior Constable Soames ‘Spike’ Crowther.

Among the crowd, the nerves were 'skyrocketing' for Christchurch indoor bowls athlete Shari MacDonald, 39, competing in her first national event.

“It’s about getting to meet different people from all over New Zealand, competing against other teams,” she said. She had fighting words for her rivals too: “Sorry Otago, Canterbury all the way.”

Swimmer Samantha McLachlan and Superintendent Lane Todd.

MacDonald was feeling “ready to go” for when competition starts on Thursday. The games will be officially kicked off with an opening ceremony on Wednesday.

The Rotorua Special Olympics Team arrives at the athletes village to dozens of volunteers warmly waving and welcoming them.

“Trying your best” was the key to good ten pin bowling, according to seasoned athlete Joanne Sullivan, who has been training hard. Her teammate Philip Dacombe said they competed for “fun” and have collected many medals along the way.

Local equestrian athletes were also excited to get among the action. First time nationals competitor Natalya Wastney, 27, said “it feels amazing to be able to control a horse because they can be unpredictable at times”.

It was organised excited chaos at the athletes village when buses arrived.

Her local Canterbury teammate Amy Batchelor, 33, has plenty of experience to lean on having represented New Zealand in Abu Dhabi in 2019 where she won two silver medals. “I’ve done really well,” she said.

Speeches by mayor Phil Mauger, Superintendent Lane Todd, experienced Christchurch athlete Andrew Oswin, and Inspector Rupert Friend who lead the Law Enforcement Torch Relay, highlighted and celebrated how special it was to have the event - which only comes around every four years - in Christchurch.

Coach Vivian Easton with her son Cameron Easton from the Horowhenua Special Olympics Team have attended multiple Special Olympics over decades.

“What a wonderful way to kick off the National Summer Games,” said Mauger. “I can’t wait to see the many incredible athletes in action across our city’s stunning facilities.”

Meanwhile more action was happening at the athletes village in Ilam, where busload after busload of teams from out of town rolled in throughout the day.

The 16-strong Tāmaki team from Auckland were the first to touch down at Christchurch Airport, kicking off what would become a flood of hundreds of athletes, coaches and support crew taking over student accommodation at the University of Canterbury.

Cameron Easton, 42, from Horowhenua was calm heading into his eighth Special Olympics nationals, competing in bocce. His target or enemy? 'The southern team,' he said with determination.

Special Olympics athletes from left: Jacob Brewer, Jessica Stalker and Ben Howorth at the athletes village.

His mother Vivian Easton had been involved with the Special Olympics for 34 years and said watching the athletes enjoy themselves will be the highlight of the week.

Athletes from Rotorua, Delarnie Smith, 49, and Gregg Hyde, 53, were looking forward to getting comfortable and relaxing after a big day’s travel to Christchurch. The Games were all about “having a good time, competing, and making new friends”, they said.

Special Olympics chief executive Fran Scholey said: “It’s here, it’s finally here and we can’t wait for action to start. We hope Christchurch is ready”.

Athlete Jade Brown, left, carries the torch in Christchurch.

“This is an enormous event and we only have a very small team who have worked overtime in the past few months. We would never be able to deliver these games without the wonderful support of our 800 volunteers and the Christchurch City Council.”

The torch has journeyed the length of the country, carried by athletes and police staff, getting communities excited for the biggest national sporting event for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

The event kicks off in Christchurch – the first time in 20 years the city has hosted the four-yearly event – with an opening ceremony on Wednesday before competition starts on Thursday for 1200 athletes across 10 sports at six venues.

The final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Relay left Victoria Square at noon on Tuesday and marched along Oxford Tce to the Bridge of Remembrance in Christchurch.

Inspector Rupert Friend said police were proud to take part to help raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement.

“Athletes experience moments of joy, dignity and pride that come with being part of the Special Olympics community, and police encourage all Kiwis to get behind it,” Friend said.

“Come out and encourage the athletes and teams. Support the games and be part of something special.”

The Olympic Flame of Hope will feature in the games’ opening ceremony at 4pm on Wednesday at Wolfbrook Arena.

Tickets to the free opening ceremony can be booked online here, and for more information and schedules to freely watch the sport action taking place until Sunday, visit www.nsg2025.co.nz.