Tiara Taylor at the Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub. Photo / Supplied
Tiara Taylor at the Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub. Photo / Supplied
A sprained ankle didn’t stop Special Olympics athletics specialist Tiara Taylor from running during competition at the Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub in Christchurch.
The Tauranga athlete was competing in the 4x100m athletics alongside Mitchell Brown, Hayley Little and Te Huia Apaapa at the National Summer Games.
Her relay colleaguessaid she had done a great job given the twisted ankle, with the team finishing third.
Taylor said she had competed in a 200m athletics race before the relay event was scheduled.
At some point she twisted her ankle, but teammates had provided support.
“When it comes to relay, Tiara is our top runner,” he said.
Mitchell Brown and Hayley Little in the stands at the Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub. Photo / Supplied
Little said she planned to mentor Mitchell in an athletics support programme in 2026.
At Ngā Puna Wai, athletes were already looking forward to donning their glad rags.
Most wanted to dance the night away this evening at the closing ceremony disco.
The planned dance wraps up five days of fierce competition and incredible participation at the National Summer Games in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
More than 1200 athletes with intellectual disabilities from 42 clubs nationwide competed in 10 sports at six venues across Christchurch in the largest sports event in the city for over a decade.
Tauranga was well represented with athletes from the wider region.
The athletes represented the local colours with pride, from the stunning opening ceremony in a packed-out Wolfbrook Arena to the medal ceremonies throughout Christchurch.
Special Olympics New Zealand chief executive Fran Scholey said the 2025 National Summer Games had taken the event to new standards, held at Christchurch’s brand-new venues.
“The whole city got into it and from what I can see in the media, the whole country got into it. I am so proud of the team delivering the games, the general public and media for giving our athletes the recognition they deserve.”
The National Summer Games was due to wrapped up with the traditional disco. The dance is a highlight for most of the athletes before they embark on their journeys home.
