Big medal haul for New Zealand at Special Olympics

Swimmer Monique Irvine with her silver medal won at the Special Olympics. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand's Special Olympians have secured 32 medals, including 11 gold, at this years' Special Olympics in Los Angeles.

The Special Olympics World Games, which are held every two years, wrapped up yesterday, with New Zealand adding more medals to their tally.

Matthew Slone (Waikato) and Stephen Moody (Horowhenua) won gold in the 50m butterfly final and 200m breastroke final respectively.

Sloane was the fastest qualifier heading into the final against tough competition from India and China but achieved a personal best to win gold.

Nikolas Taris (Tamaki) secured silver in the working trail at the equestrian centre and Jacob Osborne (Counties) took out silver in the 1500m, knocking nine seconds off his personal best in the final.

These results added to a host of medals won earlier in the Games, including a silver won by swimmer Monique Irvine (Pakuranga-Howick) in the 50m backstroke.

Irvine has been training since she was six and, now 24, she has competed in four national summer games.

"The race final was so exciting," said Irvine from LA. " I was very puffed at the end but felt so excited to know I had come second. This is my first World Games and I have liked watching all the other countries compete."

New Zealand's achievements on the track were marred by a controversial decision to disqualify the New Zealand team in the 4x100m relay.

"Japan forced our runner to step over his lane on the final leg of the race," said Special Olympics New Zealand spokeswoman Angela Day, who said the team were "robbed" of silver.

"All our New Zealand athletes, while extremely disappointed as they ran so well in the final, were gracious in defeat and congratulated their fellow competitors on the podium."

Four teams were disqualified in this race for the same reason and only two medals were awarded in this category.