Monday Sport Blast From The Past
Gordon Llewellyn is a name you have probably never heard off but he played a pivotal role in the birth of the Special Olympics movement in New Zealand.
In 1983, he and three other Hutt athletes – Colin Bailey, Peter Spijkerman and Brent Busby – made history when they attended the Summer Special Olympics in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The trip was organised by Grant Quinn, who later said Gordon Llewellyn proved the perfect poster boy for the Special Olympics movement in New Zealand.
Llewellyn was a larger than life character with a bold personality and a fascination with the TV character Magnum PI.
Years later Quinn recalled the flight over and an announcement that came over the intercom.
"This is your captain speaking … I have a very special passenger with me in the cockpit. His name is Gordon Llewellyn from New Zealand."
Llewellyn quickly took over the microphone and proceeded to entertain the whole plane.
"Next minute Gordon was asking, or should I say demanding, that everybody on board give the team a rousing three cheers to wish the team a successful time in Baton Rouge," recalled Quinn.
The team performed well at the Olympics and athletes returned home heroes, proudly wearing their medals for weeks to make sure nobody missed their success.
Llewellyn died in August 2014 and Quinn gave the eulogy. He told mourners that Llewellyn and the other three Hutt swimmers had changed the public's perception of the intellectually disabled.
They had helped win mainstream acceptance and played a key role in promoting an organisation that now had more than 7000 active members.
Happy Tuesday, neighbours, can you figure out today's riddle rush 🏃♂️
A bus driver goes the wrong way down a one-way street. He passes the cops, but they don’t stop him. Why?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Poll: How do you feel about dogs being allowed indoors in cafes?
For most of us, seeing a friendly doggo while out and about instantly brings a smile to our faces. But how do you feel about cafes welcoming pups inside?
Cast a vote and share your thoughts below.
-
27.7% I love it!
-
32% Only in designated areas
-
40.3% No, it should be outdoors only.
WIN $5000 cash back - quoting now for summer painting - monolithic and cedar specialists.
We are now quoting for summer projects. We specialise in monolithic and cedar properties but are happy to look at lineaboard, hardiplank and weatherboard properties also.
All booked and completed jobs over the value of $15,000 inc GST will go in the draw to WIN $5,000 inc GST cash back on the value of their job. * Terms and conditions apply. All completed jobs will also receive a $250 voucher to the restaurant of their choice.
Get in touch today to arrange a quote. info@paintersinc.co.nz
Draw and Voucher Terms and Conditions
There is only one prize of $5,000 inc GST cash back for a completed contract.
The value of the booked fixed price contract must be $15,000 inc. GST or above
The job must be booked in prior to 23 December to be completed between October 2024 and May 2025.
The draw will take place on 23 December 2024 and the winner will be contacted and announced on our website. Permission to publish the winners name is a requirement to enter the draw.
The cash back offer will not be paid until the job has been completed.
If we have already completed the work, the winner will be paid the $5,000 inc GST.
If we have not completed the work prior to the draw in December, the winner will have the $5,000 inc GST taken off their quoted price on the final invoice.
All completed jobs above $15,000 inc GST will receive a $250 voucher to a restaurant of their choice in the Wellington region.
Loading…
