'Envy' for Parakiore as the first competition brings Special Olympics joy

Thursday, 11 December 2025

Pamela Dawson, coach of the Canterbury Basketball B team, chats to her players during the Special Olympics at Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre in Christchurch.

Finally, the construction sounds that echoed through Parakiore for years — the drilling, the banging, the machinery — have given way to the sounds of sport: referee whistles, swishing nets, splashing swimmers and cheering crowds.

Christchurch's new sports complex hosted its first day of competition on Thursday, with Special Olympics swimmers and basketball players christening the facility amid an “electric” atmosphere.

Tate Pichon, from North Harbour (in the pink cap), was the first swimmer to win a race at Parakiore on Thursday.

Tate Pichon, 28, from North Harbour, made history as the first swimmer to win a race at Parakiore, taking the 800m freestyle in 10 minutes 38 seconds. His assessment of the milestone swim in his fourth nationals? 'It was a fantastic swim. It was a walk in the park“.

His father, Ray Pichon, said the achievement was particularly meaningful given his son's exceptionally low muscle tone. Special Olympics is the pinnacle four-yearly event competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Parakiore roared to life as Special Olympics athletes took centre stage.

'When we first started, he would go for a swim and come out and collapse because he's so physically tired,' he said. Five years ago, his son swam 30.1km across Lake Taupo and was believed to be the fastest New Zealander to complete the crossing.

“I’m always proud, he has achieved so much,” he said.

“The atmosphere is way better than other swimming events, a lot of people are cheering for everybody, not just the winner, often the people who come at the rear end get the loudest cheer.”

A large crowd supported the swimming competition though cramped seating drew criticism for athletes who had to move about to get to their events.

The facility also drew praise from athletes and spectators on the basketball courts. Coach Paul Randall summed up the Wellington contingent's sentiment: 'We've got stadium envy, us Wellingtonians.'

Basketball player Matthew Graham, 31, who last competed in Christchurch for the 2005 games, said he loved the new stadium despite his Hutt Valley team's loss. 'The other team got better over us [but] it’s a lot of fun to have opportunities like this.“

Canterbury fans show their support for basketballers.

However, some design elements in the venue’s swimming area drew criticism.

Cramped seating in the spectator stands left little room for waiting athletes to move. One team taped off an entire aisle of seats so their athletes could easily exit for their next swim.

Jevan Walls and coach Paul Randall of the Hutt Valley Basketball team.

Ursula Beazley, from Bay of Islands, called the facility “flash” but said another big screen showing live action or replays would have bettered the experience.

The facility fully opens to the public next Wednesday.

Rebecca Ashcroft from the Hutt Valley Basketball team shares a high five with a police officer.

The big scoreboard proved a hit with Otago coach Margaret van Betuw saying families loved seeing the names of their athletes up in lights.

Otago swimmer Philip Lomas said the event was all about “sportsmanship and making friends” while van Betuw called the atmosphere “electric”.

Ben Leslie, known as “six-eight” because of his height, meets All Black Scott Barrett.

“Some are from all walks of life, they meet through workplaces or social groups, it’s a really nice community and they accept each other for who they are,” van Betuw said.

The day's defining characteristic was support. Coach Randall, in his first Special Olympics tournament, described it as 'very intense' with caregiving needs including tying shoelaces more prominent than coaching. 'It's not about competing, it's about supporting each other,' he said.

All Black Scott Barrett receives a hug from Ryleigh Painter of the Canterbury Basketball team.

That spirit was evident courtside, where players from both basketball teams applauded each other's free throws.

By the swimming pool, spectator and Driving Miss Daisy service worker Michelle Robin was waving the sign she made for local athlete Samantha McLachlan. “We drive Samantha as part of Driving Miss Daisy so we’ve got to know her quite well and know how much swimming has been a passion for hers.”

Fred Senior, of the Counties swim team, coaching in a bright red bow tie, explained his 24-year commitment simply: 'I fell in love. I get more from them than they'll ever get from me.'

A visit by All Blacks captain Scott Barrett was “a dream come true” for ten-pin bowling athlete Ben Leslie. ”.

“I made him feel short, which doesn't happen often,' Leslie proudly said. He is more than 2m tall (6ft 8in) and is known as “six-eight” or the “gentle giant”.

Volunteers had to work to extend the length of five beds at the University of Canterbury’s College House to accommodate five basketballers too tall for the custom-sized beds.

Barrett said he was “completely blown away by the energy and excitement” and loved seeing all these athletes playing sport.

Canterbury basketball B team coach Pamela Dawson, a Fire and Emergency New Zealand business operations manager, said she began coaching two years ago and the Games champion diversity and inclusion.

Special Olympics chief executive Fran Scholey said “we are away to an amazing start. There is just so much energy and enthusiasm from everyone involved at every venue”.

“It is wonderful to see the camaraderie among the athletes, many of whom haven’t seen each other since the last games in Hamilton three years ago. It is great to see not only the athletes reconnecting, but also their families.”

Competition runs across six venues in Christchurch concluding on Sunday. There are 1200 athletes participating representing their regions across 10 sports.

All sporting events are free to attend. For more information and schedules, visit www.nsg2025.co.nz.