Local athlete Natasha Chang is going to the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Europe.
In 2023, Special Olympics International will hold World Summer Games – arguably the world’s largest sport and humanitarian event in the world that year. Berlin will host more than 6500 intellectually disabled athletes from 173 countries. It is estimated that they will be supported by more than 28,000 volunteers, 2900 coaches and more than 450,000 spectators.
Chang is a member of Special Olympics Howick-Pakuranga Club. “We are so proud that she has been selected as one of the athletes to represent New Zealand in athletics at 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held from June 17-25 in Berlin,” a club spokesperson said.
Chang is 27-years-old and joined Special Olympics in 2016. “She trains hard and regularly participates in Special Olympics ribbon days and regional games in Athletics,” the club said.
She has represented Special Olympics Howick-Pakuranga at Special Olympics NZ National Games in Athletics in 2017 and 2022 winning medals and ribbons in her events.
Chang was selected for the 2022 athlete leadership training programme and graduated in September 2022. In her role as athlete leader, she is an ambassador for Special Olympics, assists and speaks at school and club tournaments and other related events and is a valuable member of the Howick-Pakuranga athlete leadership committee.
“She is a reliable and committed Special Olympics club member and we are very excited at the wonderful opportunity she has to represent her country and experience and compete in an international sporting event.”
The Howick-Pakuranga club needs to raise $15,691.00 + gst for Chang’s registration costs as a member of the Special Olympics New Zealand team. Donations towards fundraising can be made at Givealittle.
The Givealittle link is here
