b"Our history Gordon Llewellyn, Peter Spijkerman, Colin Bailey, Brent Busyoriginal four athletesWhat we doSpecial Olympics New Zealand unleashes the transformative power of sport by shifting the focus to what our athletes CAN do, not what they can't. Our programmes offer people many ways to show who they really are. We run year-round sports training, competitionsWhile sport and health are the basis of the Before I go to school and come home everyand recreational events and programmes.organisation, the benefits of participating in day with not much social activities to do. Children and adults nationwide participateSpecial Olympics programmes and events goBut since I started basketball and swimmingand compete in over 13 different sportingfar beyond physical fitness.trainings with Special Olympics, I have disciplines. Our athletes form friendships and a sense of In 1968, Eunice Kennedy Shriver launchedIn the early 1980s, Special Olympics wasenjoyed so much having somewhere to go.Through our work, we meet the needs of peoplebelonging. Theyre supported to becomeI go to training and the tournaments with with an intellectual disability who have uniqueleaders in the community and follow pathways the Special Olympics movement inestablished in New Zealand by Grant and WendyFrom small beginnings in 1983 when we took a team of 4 swimmers tothe team, having fun and making friends.Quinn and a group of individuals who camethe International World Special Olympic Games held in Baton Rouge,challenges that directly impact their qualitytoward employment. Their individuality can shine. her back yard. From her home in thetogether to achieve great things.Louisiana, USA, we now have over 6500 athletes participating in ourzane gordonathlete of life and life expectancy. We are the only United States, the movement has sinceorganisation in New Zealand to provide suchUltimately, our athletes can gain more Today, more than 6,500 athletes throughoutsports training programme.Special Olympics is a wonderful communitysporting, leadership, education, and healthcareindependence and lead longer, morehelped break down barriers and endprogramme whereby we bring together all walks of life to help thosefulfilling lives. discrimination against people withAotearoa have had their lives transformed.with an intellectual disability and in return we are blessed with the loveopportunities. Without us, these opportunities Alongside them, whnau and 1,500 dedicatedand appreciation we receive from the athletes and their families. wouldn't be available together.intellectual disabilities in more than 175volunteers have celebrated their victories over countries in all regions of the world.tremendous odds. Our story is still unfolding. grant quinnspecial olympics new zealand founder"