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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-07-06 Daily Xml
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Ms FOX (Bright) (16:19): My question is to the Minister for Disability. Can the Minister for Disability give details on the seven South Australians who represented Australia as part of the Special Olympics team in Athens?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (16:19): On 15 June, the Premier, the minister for recreation and sport and I co-hosted a special farewell to the South Australian contingent of the Australian Special Olympics team. I was pleased that the member for Reynell was able to join us, the member for Mitchell was there, and the member for Bragg was present. The gathering at Parliament House was a wonderful opportunity to wish the team all the very best before they travelled to Athens to take in the world summer games from 25 June to 4 July. I can say that the excitement of those young people in the room was palpable.

The Special Olympics is endorsed by the International Olympic Committee and hosts one international competition every four years. However, 3.1 million athletes participate in 33,000 events annually. To be eligible to participate in the Special Olympics, athletes must be over eight years of age and have a permanent intellectual disability or limited cognitive development. Athletes compete with fellow athletes of similar abilities.

Whilst I am sure they have had a lot of fun, I am in no doubt that the competition was intense, with 7,500 people from 185 countries lining up to compete in 22 sports in Athens this year. Seven South Australians made it to the national team and have been successful in winning four gold medals. Every one of South Australia's seven athletes won a medal.

Daniel Tsatsaronis competed in bowling. He won gold in the mixed team, bronze in the doubles and came seventh in the singles. Krystal Petherick was also involved in bowling. She won gold in the singles and doubles and silver in the women's team. Rebecca Sargent and Jasmine Crewsdon won gold as part of the women's basketball team, and James Maxwell, Brad Kinross and Wayne Kinross all took silver in the men's basketball.

I would like to congratulate these young people whose achievement is quite extraordinary, and I want to recognise their dedication, determination and commitment. I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate the families, friends, coaches and fundraisers who have gone out of their way to support these athletes which has allowed them to excel. I am sure members present will agree that the team has done all South Australians proud, and I look forward to celebrating their success when they make it back to Adelaide.

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