Special Olympics swimmers gear up for national games

Only a few weeks remain before the National Games commence on December 14th, in Christchurch’s new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre. It will mark the first major event for the facility.

Around 1350 athletes are expected to descend on Christchurch to compete in sports including basketball, athletics, powerlifting, and of course - swimming.

Athletes Kylie Ashby and Jessica Peters started swimming in the Special Olympics out of love for the water.

But for Peters, the pool provides a refuge, says mum Wanda Peters.

“She’s been swimming since 2011 after the earthquake and she left school.

"She needed something to focus on and she couldn’t even swim, then she was only doing kick boards."

Ashby and Peters train every Wednesday at the Selwyn Aquatic Centre alongside teammate Bella Lammers.

Lammer’s been competing with the Special Olympics for 12 years - representing New Zealand at the 2023 World Summer Games in Berlin where she proudly claimed a bronze medal.

“I’m pretty excited,” Bella said of the upcoming Nationals. 

The Flame of Hope representing courage and unity was lit under Christchurch’s Bridge of Remembrance 100 days out from the games. The flame is currently making its way down the country to Invercargill, before returning to Christchurch.