Excitement mounts for Special Olympics

KIT the Koala helped welcome the Australian Special Olympics team to the Hunter yesterday as they touched down at Newcastle Airport.

Green and gold engulfed the landing strip as more than 160 athletes and officials arrived throughout the day.

Sandwiched between their three flights was the smallest team, Mongolia, consisting of six athletes and officials.

Games director Chris Heverin said it was great to see the first of 30 teams arrive in time for the opening ceremony on Sunday.

‘‘We’re really pleased to see our green and gold here. And although [the Mongolian team] had been in transit and were very tired, they were happy to be here,’’ he said.

The Special Olympics Flame of Hope has also arrived in the Hunter, making its way through Forster, Nelson Bay and Raymond Terrace yesterday.

It will continue through Muswellbrook, Singleton and Cessnock today, leaving Muswellbrook Police Station at 10.30am and finishing the day at Cessnock TAFE Park about 5pm.

Tomorrow it will go through Maitland and Warners Bay before touring Newcastle on Sunday ahead of the Special Olympics 2013 Asia Pacific Games Opening Ceremony at Hunter Stadium.

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