Special athletes welcome Flame of Hope

The ‘‘Flame of Hope’’ travelled through Wellington on Friday, as the city prepared to host its first Special Olympics.

The Wellington athletes were buzzing with excitement as they gathered at Civic Square ahead of the march.

One torch travelled the South Island and another the North Island, reaching 31 locations across the country before arriving in Wellington on Friday.

More than 1300 athletes will descend on the Wellington region for the Special Olympics National Summer Games starting on November 27.

‘‘I’m rapt,’’ Kathy Gibson Chief Executive of Special Olympics New Zealand said. ‘‘I’ll be very pleased to sell all the athletes arrive and all the athletes doing their personal best.’’

A lot of athletes were competing for the first time and were very excited for the new experience, Gibson said. The Wellington Special Olympics team gathered at Civic Square at midday on Friday and marched to Parliament with the torch.

First time basketball competitor Guv Buckland said he was ‘‘too excited’’ to take part in the games.

Jacob Dombroski from Wellington is a two time Special Olympian in basketball. His goal was ‘‘to represent our homeland give them what they deserve’’.

Wellington Mayor Justin Lester was on hand at the start of the march to wish the competitors well.

‘‘I know they’ll give it their all and do their best,’’ he said.

Held every four years, the Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games is the largest event for athletes with intellectual disabilities in New Zealand.

Athletes of all ages will compete in swimming, athletics, basketball, bocce, equestrian, football, golf, indoor bowls, power lifting, table tennis and tenpin bowling.

Forty-two Special Olympics clubs and three schools from across New Zealand will take part in the week-long event.