Local athlete picked for Special Olympics games

• Published date: 25 April 2024
• Author: SNOWBOARDING
• Publication title: Te Awamutu Courier

The competition will take place in Torino, Italy, from March 8 to 16

After a star performance at last year’s National Winter Games where he claimed gold medals in the giant slalom and snowboard cross divisions, Gilbert is part of the preliminary squad of 10 athletes.

It would be his second time representing the country on the world stage after having been part of the New Zealand squad at the 2017 World Winter Games in Austria, winning a gold and bronze medal on that occasion.

Gilbert is the only Waikato athlete in the preliminary squad for 2025, with the other ones coming from eight Special Olympics clubs, from Southland to North Harbour.

Special Olympics NZ chief executive Fran Scholey congratulated all athletes selected in the preliminary squad.

“Thank you to our Special Olympics clubs and families for supporting their nominations and a warm welcome to our management and...