Christchurch runner Andrew Oswin is among the thousands of athletes, coaches and managers converging on Wellington this week for the NZ Special Olympics. And the weather is set fair for the event.
Andrew Oswin after winning gold in shot put at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games Photo: Special Olympics International
He joined Canterbury team manager Jeff Waters, Special Olympics New Zealand CEO Kathy Gibson and Bryan Crump for a chat.
Andrew competes mainly in running events now, but in 2011 won gold in shot put (along with a gold for relay) at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens. His best shot put throw is 4m 5cm, he says.
Every day Andrew does 20 to 30 minutes on a cross-trainer and a 12-minute run around the block, plus pull-ups, push-ups and weights.
In the lead-up to a competition the 28-year-old says he doesn't get too nervous.
"There is a special oath for Special Olympics and that oath says 'Let me win, but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt'. And I have done that."
Jeff Waters, who manages Andrew's team, first went to a National Games in 2005.
His eldest daughter, who has Down Syndrome, was a 9-year-old competitor.
"She's been ever since and so have I."
This year's National Games has 1,300 athletes from 47 clubs – including three high school teams from Christchurch, Kathy Gibson says.
Rotorua basketball team a whanau affair
Te Ahi Kaa is at the last training session with a Rotorua basketball team who are set to compete at the Special Olympics in Wellington this month. Video, Audio
