Golds On The Track, In The Pool And Down The Alley

Media Release
Saturday, June 28, 2003

New Zealand Strikes Golds On The Track, In The Pool And Down The Alley

New Zealand has carried on its winning streak at the Special Olympics 2003 World Summer Games to win three more golds. New Zealand now boasts a small empire of 38 medals, including 13 Gold, 15 Silver and 10 Bronze with two more days of competition to go.

Gary McMillan

Gary McMillan, from Whakatane ran an outstanding time of 20:22.89 in the 5000 metres. Andrew Withers of Dunedin swam the 50m freestyle in 50.85 seconds, almost three seconds faster than is his trail time, and Steven James and Helen Coring from Waikato and Auckland respectively bowled an impressive combined score of 761 in the ten pin bowling mixed doubles.

Andrew Withers

In an interesting turn of events Robin Sheffield, Treasurer for Special Olympics New Zealand and a VIP at the Games, was asked by Games Officials if he would be interested in presenting medals during the competition.

“Of course I said yes, never dreaming I would be presenting medals to my own team,” said Robin. “When I walked up to the stand on the day and realized I was presenting gold, silver, and bronze to New Zealand I couldn’t believe it – what a moment!”

The New Zealand Ten pin bowling team, who have been knocking down the competitors with their winning style throughout the competition, now boast three gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

Helen Coring

In addition to our new golds Catherine Boyle and Julie Trail, who both won gold in their singles bocce events, have partnered up to win silver in their doubles. Nicola Harvey (Marlborough) added to her collection with a bronze in Equestrian.

With two more days of competition the New Zealand team are still under a lot of pressure. Special Olympics Executive Director and Head of Delegation for the Games, Chris Hooper says that excitement is high, but the team is trying not to let their wins effect further performances.

Stephen James

“The team realizes that this is when the pressure comes on, and are concentrating on maintaining focus. Of course we are excited about the wins and looking forward to being able to relax once again, but we are trying to stick to a one-day-at-a-time strategy.”

For detailed information on the 2003 Special Olympic World Summer Games you can also visit –http://www.2003specialolympics.com.

Ends

The games are now in their final days of competition, and the closing ceremony will take place this Monday morning (NZ time).

The team will arrive home on July 7th to a huge welcome home party, and we invite those who can to attend. We will be sending out more information about the welcome home party this week.

Medals Table
Gold Silver Bronze Total
13 15 10 38

Details
Event Athlete(s) Results Medal Region
Ten Pin Bowling
Teams

Mixed Doubles
Women’s:
Anne Fairhust, Helen Coring, Lynley North, Mandy Sandbrook

Men’s:
Robert McElwee, Steven Roberts, Steven James, Darren Gordon

Steven James
Helen Coring
1028

1706

396
365
Gold

Gold

Gold
Taranaki
Auckland
Waikato
Manawatu

Auckland
Auckland
Waikato
Auckland

Auckland
Waikato
Bocce Catherine Boyle TBC Gold Wanganui
Bocce Julie Trail TBC Gold Wanganui

Equestrian Lance Dempsey 131.00 Gold Horowhenua
Equestrian Maria Dixon 148.00 Gold Nelson
Equestrian
Working Trail James Farrell 141.00 Gold Hawkes Bay
Equestrian
Equitation James Farrell TBC Gold Hawkes Bay
Swimming
(100m Breaststroke) Katrina Hewett 2:23.11 Gold North Otago
Swimming
50 Freestyle Andrew Withers 00:50.85 Gold Otago
Track
5000m Gary McMillan 20:22.89 Gold Bay of Plenty
Powerlifting Brett Sutherland 90 kg Gold Southland
Track
(400m Walk) William Hussey 02:26.62 Silver Nelson
Track
(400 Walk) Murray Johns 02:03.96 Silver Waikato
Swimming
(400m Freestyle) Kent Czepanski 6:23.13 Silver Waikato
Bocce Lincoln Corrono TBC Silver Wairoa
Bocce
Doubles Lincoln Corrono
Justin Ashton TBC Silver Wairoa
Kapiti
Bocce
Women’s Doubles Catherine Boyle
Julie Trail TBC Silver Wanganui
Ten Pin Bowling
Mixed Doubles Robert McElwee
Lynley North 385
354 Silver Auckland Waikato
Ten Pin Bowling
Women’s Doubles Helen Coring
Anne Fairhurst 386
272 Silver Auckland
Taranaki
Swimming
50m Backstroke Timothy Faith 1.10.85 Silver Horowhenua
Equestrian
Working Trail Nicola Harvey 100.00 Silver Marlborough
Equestrian
English Equitation Maria Dixon 148.00 Silver Nelson
Track Duncan Campbell 12:25.04 Silver Tauranga
Powerlifting
Squat Brett Sutherland 120kg Silver Southland
Powerlifting
Deadlift Brett Sutherland 162.5 Silver Southland
Powerlifting
Bench, Deadlift & Squat Brett Sutherland 372.5kg Silver Southland
Athletics
3000m Duncan Campbell 12:25.04 Bronze Tauranga
Bocce
Singles Justin Ashton TBC Bronze Kapiti
Swimming
50 Backstroke Tania Evans 1.02.42 Bronze Southland
Swimming
100m Freestyle Chris Joseph 1:20.31 Bronze Wellington
Track
400m Walk Kaye McMurray 2:54.27 Bronze Christchurch
Swimming
100m Backstroke Kent Czepanski 1:47.74 Bronze Waikato
Equestrian
English Equitation
Nicola Harvey 81 pts Bronze Marlborough
Ten Pin Bowling
Mixed Doubles Steven Roberts
Anne Fairhurst 424
277 Bronze Auckland Taranaki
Ten Pin Bowling
Men’s Doubles Steven James
Robert McElwee 372
373 Bronze Waikato
Auckland
Ten Pin Bowling
Women’s Doubles Mandy Sandbrook
Lynley North
357
274 Bronze Manawatu
Waikato

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