NZ Special Olympics team heads to Berlin for ‘life changing experience’

A 39 strong New Zealand team leaves for the Special Olypmics World Games in Berlin today, where over 7000 athletes across 26 sports will compete over nine days of competition.

Organisers say the Games are the third biggest multi-sport event in the world and started in 1968, for people with an intellectual disability.

The Special Olympics World Games will officially get under way with the opening ceremiony at the historic 1936 Berlin Olympic stadium on June 17th.

Olympic Stadium in Berlin venue for the Special Olympics World Games.
Photo: Photosport

Rowena Massey the New Zealand delegation head said the stadium is a sell out for the ceremony.

“Eighty thousand will be there..with all of the athletes proudly marching in carrying the New Zealand flag, so very exciting times ahead for them and absolutely life changing.

Rowena Massey Head of NZ Delegation
Photo: Special Olympics NZ

“You’ll have an athlete go away that doesn’t talk too much and they’ll just get on and do their sport and be in their (own) world and then they will come back home and their parents will say ‘what have you done to my child?, they’re a different person.'”

For the first time New Zealand is sending is a seven-a-side men’s football team – and among the footballers is Lower Hutt’s Connor McCarthy.

“It’s a big honour being picked to represent New Zealand in Berlin and I’m looking foward to meeting different people from different countries and marching in the opening ceremony.”

“Most of all it’s just about having fun. It’s not about winning or losing it’s all about you having fun.”

The trip is not cheap.

Each athlete has had to rasise $18 thousand each to get to Berlin.

And the trip is all the more poignant for footballer Todd Neal – his mother Sandra who had been the driving force behind his fundraising died after Todd was named in the team and won’t get to see him play in Berlin.

Todd Neal and Connor McCarthy – members of the New Zealand Special Olympics football team competing in Berlin.
Photo: RNZ

Todd’s dad Bruce is now part of the team management.

“Before Sandra passed away it was a whole hearted family effort about getting Todd to Berlin,” said Bruce.

“Special Olympics has really brought Todd out of his shell since he started and I just love seeing the athletes enjoy themselves – it doesn’t matter where they finish and it’s just a sheer joy to work with them.”

While the emphasis is on participation – success is not far from goalkeeper Todd’s mind.

“I just love saving goals and helping my team.. (but) I an looking forward to getting a medal. I don’t care if its first second or third!”

-RNZ