GAME ON! 

 

The Opening Ceremony extravaganza held at Hunter Stadium last night kicked off the inaugural Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games in style in front of a delighted crowd of almost 25,000 people.

 

With entertainers such as Human Nature, Marcia Hines, Anthony Callea, Marina Prior and Iva Davies it was a star-studded performance, but the biggest cheers were reserved for the stars of the show – the 2,500 Special Olympics athletes from 32 countries who proudly marched into the stadium as part of the Parade of Athletes. As each nation was announced, with Team Australia as the final delegation, Games volunteers formed a guard of honour for the athletes who were met with thunderous applause.

 

In her address to the crowd, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Quentin Bryce, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia AC CVO, said ‘Special Olympics athletes, I know that each and every one of you will compete with strength, determination and courage. You inspire us every day, you give your absolute best to overcome life's challenges – now is the time for you each to achieve your personal best on the sporting field. Athletes of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games, this is your time to shine.’

Her Excellency then officially declared the Games open as stunning fireworks lit up the sky to herald the beginning of Games competition, which will take place in Newcastle from 2-7 December 2013.

OUR PARTNERS ARE GOLD!

 

Angela Borelli, Marketing Manager NSW and ACT from IGA visited our Team Australia aquatics athletes today to give a big Aussie, Aussie, Aussie cheer of good luck as they prepare to compete over the next few days. Angela said, ‘IGA are so proud to have been able to help our local champions live the dream. You are all champions and we are so proud, give your personal best and have fun!’

 

FIRST AUSSIE MEDAL

 

Competition began today in nine sports with all sports, other than athletics, hosting divisioning rounds.

 

Queensland’s Shawn McKee secured Australia's first medal of the inaugural Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games with a silver in the 5000m track event, with his parents there to cheer him on. The Australian women also cleaned up in the 400m, finishing 1-2-3. Tomorrowmedals will be awarded in athletics, aquatics, badminton and tenpin bowling.

IT'S TIME TO CHAMPOGRAM!

 

You can send a message of support to the Aussie team via a champogram. Simply record a video, take a photo or write a message and post it via Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #champogram in the post. Alternatively post your message to the Special Olympics Australia facebook wall. Once moderated, your message will appear on our champogram wall.

 

TEAMS UNITE IN FOOTBALL

 

Today’s festivities featured a unified football match between Special Olympics athletes and players without a disability, including new Special Olympics global CEO Janet Froetscher, Chair of Special Olympics Australia Mark Streeting and members of the local Newcastle Jets football club. Hidetoshi Nakata, former Japan National Footballer, Series A and Premier League player was also on hand to enjoy the fun.
 
Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team to promote social inclusion. It was inspired by the simple principle that training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.

 

WELCOME JANET! CONGRATS BEN!

 

Special Olympics is a worldwide sporting movement that promotes sport as a vehicle of inclusion for people with an intellectual disability. Globally, the movement supports over 4.2 million athletes in 170 countries.
 
Recently appointed global CEO Janet Froetscher is in Australia at the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games – her first international competition.
 
Today she took part in a Unified Sports football match as well as a leadership breakfast hosted by Lions Club International President Barry Palmer where she announced that Special Olympics athlete Ben Haack from Queensland has been appointed to the Special Olympics International Board. Ben is a member of Special Olympics Athlete Leadership Programs.

 

BAGGY GREEN PRIDE

It’s one of the most iconic items in Australian sport and for 26 Special Olympics cricketers, receiving their baggy green cap this afternoon at the picturesque Newcastle Sportsground No.1 was a moment they will never forget.

 

Former Australian batsman Rick McCosker, a Hunter local, was on hand to present the baggy green, emblazoned with the Special Olympics Australia logo, to the Aussie Special Olympics cricketers.

 

With his parents Jon and Bee looking on, it was an extra special moment for Sydney Upper North Shore athlete Nathaniel Quan. Many years ago, when Nathaniel joined Special Olympics he had a dream of being capped with the baggy green and today he achieved his goal.

Good luck to Nathaniel and all of our Australian cricketers!

DONATE to the team.

ATTEND the event. 

MESSAGE Aussie athletes.

 

AND PROMOTE OUR NEWS

Please share our news via your own personal or business channels. All content is cleared for the promotion of Special Olympics Australia.

 

Team Australia media contact: 
Sharon Nixon, Special Olympics Australiamedia@specialolympics.com.au
0406 821 461

 

If you want to volunteer with the media team in Newcastle get in touch!

OPENING CEREMONY HIGHLIGHTS

 

24-year-old Special Olympics Australia athlete ambassador Mel Eustace from Sydney NSW, gave a passionate speech expressing what Special Olympics means to athletes with an intellectual disability.

 

‘Special Olympics allows me to be healthy, have friends, be fit, enjoy life and achieve,’ she said.

 

Her mentor and Games Chairman John Trivilliam AM added, ‘Special Olympics is a celebration of ability. It is about people gathering to socialise, practice, train, compete and challenge each other.’

 

Among the Australian dignitaries to attend the event were:

 

Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

 

Senator the Honourable Mitch Fifield MP, Assistant Minister Social Services, Parliament of Australia

 

The Honourable Bob Baldwin MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Parliament of Australia

 

The Honourable Gabrielle Upton MP, Minister for Sport and Recreation, Parliament of New South Wales

 

The Honourable John Ajaka MP, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Ageing, Parliament of New South Wales

 

International President Mr Barry Palmer, President of Lions Clubs International and Mrs Anne Palmer

 

Following an extensive Final Leg Torch Run in which Law Enforcement Officers carried the Flame of Hope from Sydney and through communities in the Hunter and Newcastle, NSW Police Commissioner, Mr Andrew Scipione delivered the Flame of Hope to Australian athlete Geoffrey Kirby at the Opening Ceremony to conclude the Torch Run journey and symbolically open the Games.

 

Geoffrey, a swimmer from Cardiff South in the Newcastle area, was given the honour of lighting the cauldron, which was designed in the shape of the Games logo. The final 'petals' of the logo were placed in position by Special Olympics athletes and local performers, representing acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities.

 

For 31-year-old Special Olympics athlete Stewart Abbott, playing the piano is a way of communicating.

 

During the Opening Ceremony, he collaborated with Opening Ceremony Creative Director, John Foreman, to perform a grand piano medley which ignited huge applause from the crowd.

 

 

LOCAL MEDIA COVERAGE

 

If you caught the Newcastle Herald over coffee this morning you would have been delighted with the coverage of last night’s Opening Ceremony with a photo of Tasmania’s sole athlete and bocce player Donna West gracing the cover. Local athlete Keiran Corry, who will compete in swimming at the Games, also shared the limelight with a story sharing how Special Olympics has positively influenced the Corry family, which includes three siblings with an intellectual disability.

 

YOUNG ATHLETES LAUNCH

 

They may be too young to compete in Special Olympics, but that’s not stopping Hunter toddlers and children from getting in on the action of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games.

 

Minister for Sport and Recreation, Gabrielle Upton and Member for Newcastle, Tim Owen, today attended the Young Athletes Fun Day, held at the University of Newcastle, which gives young children between the ages 2-8 a chance to develop their sporting skills through play.

 

‘Special Olympics Young Athletes program is a unique sport and play program for children with an intellectual disability,’ said Ms Upton.

 

‘Sport is a fantastic tool to help children of all ages and abilities develop strength, coordination, balance and fitness. The program has been running successfully overseas for a number of years and now Special Olympics Australia is looking to roll it out nationally.’

 

Tim Owen said, ‘It’s wonderful that the Games has provided so many opportunities for the local community to be involved. More than 100 local children took part in today’s Fun Day.’

 

The program is supported by Mattel and many of their Australian staff were in Newcastle today.

Keiran Corry is a Champion

Jordan Brown is a Champion
17 year-old Jordan Brown from Warners Bay has overcome remarkable challenges to compete in the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games. Only able to reach 15 -25 metres when he first began swimming lessons, Jordan represented Australia in the 200 metre event time trials on Opening Ceremony day. Jordan says he ‘is proud’ of his experiences with Special Olympics and has grown in confidence since participating in regular training for the Games. Click here to met Jordan.

 

Belinda Prince is a Champion
Belinda Prince from Newcastle has been training in aquatics twice a week for 12 months in preparation for the Games. She says having the opportunity to represent Australia means so much to her as it allows her to participate in social activities. Belinda has been swimming for 14 years and is incredibly proud to be competing in front her family and friends in Newcastle. She is also a Games athlete ambassador. Click here to read more about Belinda’s story.