'Outstanding' athletes earn mayoral praise

Wanganui Mayor Annette Main gave praise and morning tea to the city's Special Olympians on their return from the nationals. The athletes (in no particular order) were: Teresa Kavanagh, Rose Keith, Haylee Palmer, Stephanie Manu, Adam Wilkins, Matthew Johnson, Linda Fredrickson, Mark Cressingham, Grant Drybergh, Cathy Boyle, Trista Small, Grant McCullough, Thomas McLeod, Ashley Aki, Bridget Brightwell, Julie Trail and Judith Bradley. Photo/Bevan Conley

Wanganui Mayor Annette Main shed a tear of joy as she welcomed home 23 Special Olympians from the nationals in Dunedin yesterday.

The athletes, each adorned with multiple medals, were invited to morning tea with Ms Main in the council chambers - creating an atmosphere that plucked her heart strings.

"You guys are amazing, look at all your medals - I've never won a medal in my life," Ms Main said.

And when the mayor was given a hug and a kiss from one of the party, she shed a tear. "Oh, you guys make me cry [with joy]," was her response.

Ms Main went on to praise the group's efforts at the national Special Olympic games in the south, describing their collective performances to be nothing short of outstanding.

The 23 athletes were accompanied to Dunedin by Wanganui Special Olympics chairman Danny Kavanagh and seven coaches who helped shape their careers in disciplines including basketball, swimming, indoor bowls and bocce.

Team manager Mike Smith said the majority returned home with multiple medals in their respective skill grades, while the basketballers finished fifth overall and swimmer Sam Donaldson managed a gold and two silvers in the pool.

"Wanganui was the second to set up a Special Olympics organisation in the country more than 30 years ago and these guys get an enormous buzz out of competing, especially at this level," Smith said. "Performances at the nationals can also qualify athletes for the World Special Olympics in America in two years, but at this stage we are not sure who will be going from Wanganui. That will depend on who we nominate and who are actually chosen by the national body. It will also depend on sponsorship - but I'm sure some from here will head to the USA."