Special Olympics NZ World Winter Games Austria 2017 - Thomas Loftus

The world’s largest sports and humanitarian event in 2017 will be the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Graz and Schladming, Austria. Austria will welcome almost 3,000 Special Olympics athletes from 110 nations to compete in nine Olympic-type winter sports. The Special Olympics World Winter Games returns to Austria, the location of the fifth Special Olympics World Winter Games in 1993 in Salzburg and Schladming. It will be held from 14-25 March 2017. For further information, please go to www.austria2017.org

New Zealand will be represented by 13 athletes who will compete across two disciplines: Alpine skiing and snowboarding. This is New Zealand's largest delegation to attend a World Winter Games, they will be supported by seven volunteer officials.

Thomas has been involved with Special Olympics for seven years - as well as snow sports, he participates in athletics and basketball, and in 2012 he graduated as a Global Messenger. He feels very privileged to be able to represent his country and is looking forward to competing in the down hill skiing events.

Thomas has been working hard on his fitness, recently adding cross fit to his regular training programme. He will be taking part in training camps at Mt Ruapehu this winter.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Thomas' cause. Your donation, no matter what amount, will help Thomas achieve his ambition to ski in Austria.