Special Olympics National Summer Games 2025 events will be held around Christchurch, including at Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub. Photo: Google Maps
Christchurch is to host the next Special Olympics National Summer Games in 2025.
The games happen every four years and attract more than 1500 athletes and coaches from across the country.
Special Olympics New Zealand chief executive Carolyn Young said the Games were hugely important for the participants.
"Our athletes often don't get opportunities in life to participate in sport or other things in the general community, so Special Olympics is really important because they have a time where they can connect with other people that are like them, they can get physically active and enjoy sport just like everybody else, they make friends."
Athletes competing at the national games could be selected for the world games the following year, she said.
Christchurch put in a very strong bid for the event, she said.
Christchurch City Council spokesperson Nigel Cox said the council was very excited and proud to be hosting the 2025 Summer Special Olympic National Games.
The city was eager to see the games return, he said.
Ōtautahi had not hosted the games since before the Canterbury earthquakes 20 years ago, he said.
Cox said he was confident the city would deliver a world-class experience for everyone involved.
The games would be held in a number of sporting facilities across the city, including Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub and Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, he said.