Special Olympics: North Otago's hope in the pool

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Matt Aitken.

North Otago schoolgirl Brittney McKenzie will have her first taste of national sport when she competes in the Special Olympics New Zealand Summer Games in Palmerston North this week.

McKenzie (16), a pupil at Waitaki Girls High School, will be competing in four swimming events.

"I am excited about it," McKenzie said at a Mayoral reception for Special Olympians in Dunedin last week.

She was part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

McKenzie does not have any apprehension about competing against the best Special Olympic swimmers in the country.

She is confident with her ability and intends to go out hard to test herself against the other swimmers.

McKenzie is one of 10 members of the North Otago team competing in Palmerston North.

Swimming is her specialty and she will contest the 50m breaststroke (qualifying time 1min 10.58sec), 50m backstroke (57.02sec), 100m freestyle (1min 25.17sec) and the 4 x 25m relay.

The best competitor from Dunedin is Matt Aitken who will contest the 400m, 800m and shot put in athletics.

Aitken (17), a pupil at Otago Boys High School, demonstrated his skills by winning five medals - three gold, silver and bronze - in AWD events at the New Zealand secondary schools championships in Hamilton last year.

The Special Olympics Summer Games will give Aitken an indication of his form before he attempts to dominate his events again at the New Zealand secondary schools championships in Timaru next week.

The oldest member of the Central Otago team is Susan Beale (54).

She will compete in bocce doubles and team competitions.

Sixty-seven athletes from the Otago province will be competing in Palmerston North.

Overall, there are 1000 athletes competing and they will be supported by 500 coaches and team managers and 500 volunteers.

There will be 10 sports at the Summer Games: aquatics, athletics, basketball, bocce, tenpin bowling, equestrian, football, golf, indoor bowls and powerlifting.

Special Olympics was established in New Zealand in 1983 and there are now 5000 Special Olympic athletes training.

They are supported by 2500 volunteer coaches and supporters.

More than 3.1 million athletes of all ages are involved in Special Olympics sports training and competition in more than 170 countries.

The organisation offers year-round training and competition in 30 Olympic-type summer and winter sports.

The magic of the Kennedy name has helped the Special Olympics movement become a significant force in international sport over the last 41 years.

It was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of President John F.

Kennedy, to provide athletes with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sports.

The first Special Olympics Summer Games was held in 1968.

They are now held every four years and the 13th event will be held in 2011.

Special Olympics Summer Games
Venue: Palmerston North.
When: December 2-5.
Competitors: 1000.
From Otago: 67.
Sports: 10 (aquatics, athletics, basketball, bocce, tenpin bowling, equestrian, football, golf, indoor bowls, powerlifting).
Volunteers: 500 coaches and team managers and 500 extra helpers.
Next venue: Dunedin in 2013.