Photo Caption: Tiaan Whelpton is a record-breaking professional sprinter and an ambassador for the upcoming Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games.
Tiaan Whelpton, who graduated from Te Whare W膩nanga o Waitaha | University of mini传媒 (UC) in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science, is now a record-breaking professional sprinter and an for the upcoming Special Olympics New Zealand 2025 .
The 25-year-old, who earlier this year broke the record for the fastest 100m time clocked by a Kiwi runner on a New Zealand track, is currently competing in athletics competitions in Europe.听
But he鈥檚 keen to encourage people back home 鈥 including UC staff and students - to volunteer for the National Summer Games, which will be held in Christchurch from December 10 to 14. The athletes taking part range in age from 14 to their 70s 鈥 all with an intellectual disability.
鈥淪port is obviously a big part of my life and it鈥檚 a wonderful thing that, in my mind, everyone should be part of. It shouldn鈥檛 be limited to a certain group of people,鈥 Whelpton says.
鈥淔or everyone who wants to come down and volunteer I think it will be a really good time and they鈥檒l have the best seats in the house. This could be the pinnacle event for these athletes in their entire lives, so it鈥檚 only fair to make sure they get all the support they need to make it a real success. I know UC students are really great at volunteering with one in three taking part in some kind of voluntary work.鈥
UC is working alongside Special Olympics New Zealand (SONZ) for the summer games, providing accommodation in its halls of residence for over 1300 athletes, coaches and support staff, and hosting a games village on campus.
Whelpton has already met some of the mini传媒-based athletes who will be competing in the games, which are held every four years. 鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty cool 鈥 there鈥檚 a whole bunch of different athletes and sports. It鈥檚 a melting pot of different personalities, so I鈥檓 excited to see how it turns out.
鈥淚 also think it鈥檚 amazing that we鈥檙e holding such a big event in Christchurch. I know it鈥檚 going to be great fun and I鈥檓 looking forward to it.鈥
SONZ Chief Executive Fran Scholey says the support from sports people like Tiaan, and the other ambassadors, helps showcase the incredible achievements of Special Olympics athletes, clubs and team management. 鈥淚t鈥檚 no small feat to prepare for games of this scale and we are incredibly grateful to Tiaan 鈥 who is a real advocate for inclusion.鈥澨
Whelpton is hoping to break the New Zealand men鈥檚 international record 100m time of 10.08 seconds during his European athletics season. He鈥檚 already achieved 10.10 seconds, so he鈥檚 within a tantalising two-one-hundredths of a second of reaching his goal.听
鈥淚鈥檓 feeling pretty good, we鈥檝e had some good numbers in the gym and on the track, I鈥檝e got the New Zealand record to break now. I think I haven鈥檛 run by best time yet this season, so I鈥檓 very excited to get back on the track,鈥 he says.
The Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games will draw athletes from 42 clubs across New Zealand. The games, which include opening and closing ceremonies, are being held at sporting facilities across Christchurch, including Ng膩 Puna Wai Sports Hub and the new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre.
Over 650 volunteers are needed to help out at the upcoming games, with roles including helping at medal ceremonies, sport management and photography. Visit to find out more and sign up as a 2025 National Summer Games volunteer. 听
