TURKEY: Special Olympics European Basketball Tournament in Marmaris
(9 May 2008)

Special Olympics Turkey will host the 2008 Special Olympics European Basketball Tournament from 26-31 May in Marmaris, a city located on the Aegean coast.  Sixteen teams from 16 countries will be competing.  Delegations will get their first taste of Turkish hospitality as they are greeted by the citizens of Marmaris during a parade throug...

GREECE: Getting Ready for 2009 World Winter Games
(29 April 2008)

An Alpine Skiing and Snowshoeing training session was organized in late February at Seli Mountain in Verria in northern Greece in preparation for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho, USA.  Thirty athletes from Athens, Patras, Serres, Drama and Verria participated in the two-day event. Special Olympics Greece co-organized the ...

Special Olympics European Football Cup 2008
(29 April 2008)

The Special Olympics European Football Cup 2008 will be held in communities in Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany from 2 to 8 May 2008.  This 11-a-side tournament will be the largest Special Olympics regional football event this year.  The event is being organized by Special Olympics Austria and Special Olympics Switzerland i...

DENMARK Hosts Floorball and Floor Hockey Tournament and Seminar
(28 April 2008)

Special Olympics Denmark hosted a Special Olympics Floorball and Floor Hockey seminar during the first Special Olympics Enlarged Floorball Tournament in Helsingor from April 17 to April 20, 2008.  Eleven teams from six countries took part in the Floorball Tournament organized in collaboration with Danish Floorball Federation who prov...

National Swimming Competition in SERBIA
(25 April 2008)

Seventy-three athletes representing 10 towns in Serbia participated in the Special Olympics Serbia National Swimming Competition in Leskovac on 29 March.  The competition included six events: 25, 50 and 100 m in free style and in breaststroke.The competition was held under auspices of the Ministry of Sports.  During Opening Ceremonie...

GREECE: Special Olympics participates in public awareness campaigns
(23 April 2008)

Two hundred Special Olympics Greece cyclists and their coaches participated in a two-day event bearing the slogan “Make Roads Safe” in Mesologgi. The event, held 13-14 April, was organized in cooperation with the General Secretariat of Sport – Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Mesologgi, and the local Prefecture and the FIA...

Eighth Annual Special Olympics European Football Week
(22 April 2008)

The eighth annual Special Olympics European Football Week will be held 3-10 May, 2008.  An estimated 50,000 players with intellectual disabilities are expected to participate in football events in more than 50 countries throughout Europe/Eurasia.  This year the focus will be on community-based initiatives with an emphasis on volunteer coa...

GREECE: ‘Join the World of Winners’
(21 April 2008)

Special Olympics was the theme of a two-day seminar called “Join the World of Winners” that was organized by Special Olympics Greece on 4 and 5 March 2008 in Athens.  More than 150 coaches, trainers, officials and representatives of sports organizations gathered to learn more about Special Olympics.  The seminar was opened wit...

ROMANIA: New PSA with Nadia Comaneci screened
(17 April 2008)

On 14 April, 2008, a new public service announcement (PSA) to support Special Olympics Romania was screened at a televised gala event in Bucharest.  Click here to view PSA video clip.  The PSA features Olympic legend and Special Olympics Vice Chair Nadia Comaneci and Special Olympics Romania gymnast Andra Pirvanescu, 18.  The ev...

RUSSIA: Olympic Medalist Supports Special Olympics Athletes
(10 April 2008)

Over 500 athletes, 120 coaches and 300 volunteers representing 34 regions from all over Russia gathered in St. Petersburg, Russia on March 10-17, to attended the 2008 Special Olympics Russia National Winter Games.Athletes competed in seven sports (alpine skiing, cross country skiing, figure skating, speed skating, floor hockey, snowboardi...

Learning about Differences in KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
(9 April 2008)

Fifty students aged 10-12 years with and without intellectual disabilities came together in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic on March 26-28, 2008 for a  SO Get Into It ® camp.  The aim of the three-day camp, organized by Special Olympics Kyrgyz Republic, was to learn how to identify stereotypes that exist in society, learn to b...

"Sport for All" Run in BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA
(9 April 2008)

Adnan Sulejmanovic, a Special Olympics athlete from Bosnia and Herzegovina, participated in Vivicittá, an international sport for all event in Tuzla.  The event, held on 6 April 2008, was organized by the Italian Sport for All Association (UISP).  Vivicittá brings more than 70,000 citizens to run simultaneously in diffe...

TURKEY: Special Olympics Athlete Carries Olympic Torch
(8 April 2008)

Special Olympics Turkey athlete Durducan Nevruz, 16, had the honor of carrying the Olympic Torch through the streets of Istanbul on 3 April 2008.  Joined by 80 other runners, Nevruz ran two km as part of the relay.  “I will never forget this day, “said his mother Sevim Nevruz, who was with her son during the run.  “...

SERBIA Hosts Second National Winter Games
(7 April 2008)

Special Olympics Serbia held it’s Second Winter Games at Kopaonik mountain resort in Serbia on March 20-23, 2008.Winter sports are becoming very popular among Special Olympics Serbia’s athletes and coaches. One hundred and twenty three participants from nine different cities participated.  Competition started with preliminaries and...

TURKMENISTAN Looking Forward to Hosting International Events
(1 April 2008)

From 22-28 March 2008, Krzysztof Krukowski, Director, Organizational Development, Special Olympics/Eurasia, visited the Special Olympics National Program in Turkmenistan.  During his visit, Krukowski was in the capital, Ashgabat, where he and Program staff met with representatives from city government, the sports ministry, the American Embassy...

Vodafone Group Foundation Supports Unified® Football
(26 March 2008)

Special Olympics Youth Unified® Football Project was kicked off during a seminar in Brussels, Belgium on March 11-13, 2008Special Olympics received a 500,000£ grant from the Vodafone Group Foundation over a three-year period to fund Unified® Football projects for young people between 14 and 25.  The funds are allocated to six cou...

NETHERLANDS: Special Olympics Swimmers show their skills at European Championship
(22 March 2008)

Fourteen Special Olympics swimmers from Netherlands participated in a 50-meter freestyle (females) and 50-meter freestyle (males) demonstration took place just before the start of the European Championship finals in Eindhoven, Netherlands on March 22, 2008. Three thousand spectators watched the demonstration, which was shown live on NOS, one o...

SERBIA hosts National Table Tennis Competition
(5 March 2008)

Special Olympics Serbia opened its 2008 sports season with a national Table Tennis competition in Cacak, Serbia on Saturday February 23.   Sixty eight athletes from ten towns took part in the event and competed in 13 divisions.  Special guests were athletes who competed in table tennis at the 2007 Special Olympics Worl...

Euro Parliament Hearing
(3 March 2008)

On 26 February, the Special Olympics movement was given a unique opportunity to testify in front of the Education and Culture Committee of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. Approximately 100 people attended the hearing including Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), representatives from the European Commission and the Council of Mi...

NORWAY: Princess Attends National Games
(25 February 2008)

Special Olympics Norway hosted its 2008 National Cross-Country competition on February 16-14 in Holmenkollen (Oslo, Norway). One hundred and forty athletes participated.  Competition results will serve as a basis for selection of cross-country skiers to represent Special Olymipcs Norway at the 2009 Special Olympics Wor...

The Vodafone Group Foundation to support Unified projects
(21 February 2008)

The Vodafone Group Foundation has announced that Special Olympics will receive £500,000 to fund a European sports project that will help young people with disabilities. Special Olympics will receive its grant over a three-year period to fund Unified® Football projects for young people between 14 and 25.  The funds will be allocated t...

Athens to Host 2011 World Games
(14 February 2008)

Officials Sign the Memorandum of Agreement and Unveil 2011 World Games LogoThe World Games, which promise to be one of the world’s largest multi-sport and humanitarian events that year, will unite 7,500 athletes from more than 170 countries.On February 14, H.E. Karolos Papoulias, President of the Hellenic Republic; H.E. Natasha Karamanlis, wi...

One Year Count-Down to Winter World Games
(8 February 2008)

In just one short year, the spectacular mountains of Boise and Sun Valley, Idaho USA will play host to the world for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. From 6-13 February 2009, nearly 3,000 athletes from 85 countries will compete in seven Olympic-type sports: Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding...

ISRAEL: Prime Minister Olmert Meets with Athletes
(28 January 2008)

On January 28,2008, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert received the Special Olympics athletes who represented Israel at the 2007 Special Olympics World Games that were held in China.The athletes showed the Prime Minister their 42 medals proudly won in the eight sports: athletics, aquatics, bowling, cycling, judo, tennis, table tennis, and football.The...

Continued Cooperation with UNICEF in UZBEKISTAN
(25 January 2008)

Special Olympics Uzbekistan and UNICEF are continuing their cooperation in bringing children with and without intellectual disabilities together.  On January 25, 2008 a meeting was held in Tashkent with 25 pupils from mainstream school No. 171 and 30 pupils from special school No. 101, which played host.  The pupils, who ranged in age fro...

Special Olympics on UNICEF video clip
(11 January 2008)

UNICEF and Special Olympics partnered to work together and advocate for health care, education, recreational sports and employment policies that will benefit children with intellectual disabilities.  In Europe/Eurasia, Bulgaria and Uzbekistan and the first two national programs to be included in the project in 2007-2008.The partnersh...

Awards and Accolades for athletes in GREAT BRITAIN
(10 January 2008)

On the close of 2007, Special Olympics Great Britain celebrated its athletes and coaches across England, Scotland and Wales, paying credit to 159 world-class sportsmen and women.Football coach Elaine McKenna was nominated Sunday Times Sportswomen for the Year Award.  The World Summer Games tennis Squad was nominated by the Lawn Tennis Ass...

MONTENEGRO: Inclusive Activities
(7 January 2008)

Special Olympics Montenegro, the newest program in Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, concludes four "SO Get Into It: Youth Get It Going" inclusive activities.  A total of 200 students with intellectual disability and 50 students without intellectual disabilities from four cities were involved. A basketball event was org...

AUSTRIA: Carving Skis and Alpine Skiing
(21 December 2007)

Sixty-six Special Olympics skiers from eight countries participated in the European Alpine Skiing Camp organized in Murau, Austria from 8 to 15 December.  Themes of the training were "SNOW MOTION" training on short carving skis.The project was held successfully thanks to great efforts from Prof. Heinz Pe...

AZERBAIJAN: International Day of the Disabled
(20 December 2007)

On occasion of the International Day of the Disabled on December 3, Special Olympics Azerbaijan in association with Inter Professional Sport Club, hosted a football tournament on 3-5 December 2007.  The event was held under the auspices of the Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Youth and Sport, the Inter Professio...

LEN Showcases Special Olympics Swimmers
(20 December 2007)

On occasion of the European Swimming Championships in Debrecen, Hungary, LEN (the European swimming federation) invited eight male and six female Special Olympics swimmers to take part in two demonstration short pool races on 14 December 2007.  The demonstration was broadcasted on Eurosport TV the day prior to Championship finals.  S...

ROMANIA: Olympians Honor Special Olympics Athletes
(11 December 2007)

On 5 December, Special Olympics Romania athletes who competed at the World Games in Shanghai were honored by Romanian Olympic medalists and sports celebrities in Bucharest.  The House of Champions Foundation organized the gala event.  Sports stars, among them Olympics Gold medalists, who were part of the congratulatory ceremony, included:...

FRANCE: Basketball Federation Supports Special Olympics
(11 December 2007)

France hosted 20 tournaments throughout the country during this year's Special Olympics Basketball Week.  More than 180 teams, or 1,200 to 1,300 players participated.  All tournaments included clinics at which players had the opportunity to test their individual skills.Each team received 1 ballon of Basket and each pla...

LUXEMBOURG: Minister and Olympic Commitee Honour Delegation
(8 December 2007)

Sports Minister Jeannot Krecké and Marc Theisen, President of the National Olympic Commitee (COSL) invited the whole delegation participating on the World Games of Shanghai in a sympatic reception. Proud of the result of the 27 athletes (everybody won a medal in China), both confirmed a subtantial aid in the futur for the activities of Speci...

Football Federation Support in ROMANIA
(7 December 2007)

This year the Romanian Football Federation and Special Olympics Romania partnered to promote football players with intellectual disabilities. During the qualifying games for European Championships, Special Olympics footballers joined professional players on the pitch during prior to kick-off.  In November a second project was started in partne...

International Day of the Disabled
(3 December 2007)

Special Olympics athletes set example as model employees as International Day of Disabled Persons focuses on employmentThe annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons, 3 December, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.  I...

Health Screening Changes Life of Athlete from TURKEY
(28 November 2007)

Garip Olcas, 12, is a passionate table tennis player from Special Olympics Turkey.  His participation in the Special Olympics World Summer Games this year was his first travel abroad and his first time on an airplane.  Between competitions, Olcas also took Healthy Athletes screening tests.  Several Turkish clinici...

2007 European Basketball Week
(27 November 2007)

FIBA Europe has again endorsed this Special Olympics European Basketball Week, which is the flagship event of the FIBA Europe and Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia partnership. The relationship was established in May 2004 with the aim of developing basketball for players with intellectual disabilities. Since 2004, the number of Special Olympics playe...

LUXEMBOURG: FLBB Supports Basketball Week
(25 November 2007)

On occasion of the Special Olympics European Basketball Week, Special Olympics Luxembourg held its fourth VIP Game.  FLBB, the Luxembourg Basketball Federation, is privileged partner for the event.  After a small practice, national coach Herrmann Paar, former president Romain Haas and the Special Olympics&nbs...

LUXEMBOURG Says Chie Chie Shanghai!
(18 November 2007)

The Special Olympics slogan ("A World of Winners") remains the best summary for the World Games.  A total of 50 individuals from Special Olympics Luxembourg (27 athletes and partners, family members and a soccer referee say "Chie Chie (thank you)" to Shanghai and to the Community of Yu Yuan for thei...

IRELAND: President Hosts Reception for Athletes
(16 November 2007)

Irish President Mary McAleese and her husband Dr. Martin McAleese hosted a reception at Aras an Uachtarain (Presidential Residence) in Dublin an Uachtarain Dublin on 8 November for TEAM Ireland athletes and coaches who recently returned from the Special Olympics World Summer Games.  The event was held to recognize the achievements of Team...

UEFA Renew Partnership with SOEE
(16 November 2007)

In a recent letter to SOEE Managing Director, Mike Smith, the General Secretary of UEFA, David Taylor, confirmed UEFA’s extension of its football development partnership with SOEE.  The partnership, part of UEFA’s established corporate social responsibility commitment, will provide funding for further development of Special Olympic...

GREECE: President receives Special Olympics flag
(15 November 2007)

On November 14, the President of the Hellenic Republic, Dr. Karolos Papoulias, was presented with the Special Olympics flag that was passed to Special Olympics Hellas during Closing Ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.  The next Summer Games, in 2011, will be held in Athens, Greece.  Special Olympics H...

UZBEKISTAN: UNICEF Welcomes Athlete Presenter
(8 November 2007)

A Special Olympics Uzbekistan athlete and her mother were invited to address participants at the UNICEF Mid-Term Review Conference in Tashkent.  The conference, held on 25 October, was organized by UNICEF and the Government of Uzbekistan. During the conference, current programs of cooperation between the government and UNICEF were presented, i...

LEN and Special Olympics
(7 November 2007)

On 29 September, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia (SOEE) Managing Director, Mike Smith, made a presentation to the Annual General Meeting of the European Swimming Federation (LEN).  The presentation focused on the great progress that Special Olympics swimming has made since the first Special Olympics World Games in Chicago, USA, in 1968.  ...

RUSSIA: Tennis Players receive Tips from the Best
(7 November 2007)

Twenty Special Olympics athletes had the chance to participate in a tennis master class led by one of Russia’s top players, Mikhail Youzhny, on 3 October in Moscow.  The event took place at the Ronald McDonald center as part of the social program of the Kremlin Cup international tennis tournament.  Special Olympics tennis players sp...

Ongoing Growth for Judo
(25 October 2007)

First introduced on the initiative of programs in Europe/Eurasia, judo competitions gathered 54 athletes from 9 countries (all from Europe) at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. This year, participation had almost tripled to 143 athletes from 20 countries (European coutries and China). The tournament was organized at the best possible ve...

POLAND: Four Million TV Viewers for Special Olympics Announcement
(25 October 2007)

On October 17, 2007, national football teams from Poland and Hungary competed against each others in Lodz, Poland. Both Polish and Hungarian Football Federations agreed to promote Special Olympics at this event viewed live on Polish TV by about four million spectators and followed by many more on national radio. Players from bot...

European Kayaking Outreach
(24 October 2007)

Kayaking became a Special Olympics demonstration sports following the initative of some programs in Europe/Eurasia. In Shanghai, experts, referees and volunteers were trained by Roza Banasik, Kayaking Technical Delegate from Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, which should result in dramatical expansion of Special Olympics Kayaking in China, the faste...

"Best Ceremonies": Says UN Official
(22 October 2007)

United Nations official Adolf Ogi, the Special Adviser to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, said the organization of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai was superb. "This is the best opening ceremony I've seen," Ogi was quoted as saying by Shanghai Daily. "The show is v...

FIFA and Special Olympics
(18 October 2007)

Both FIFA (the International Association of Football Associations) and the ISPA (International Sports Press Association), reported on their websites the launch of the "Special Olympics Global Football" Initiative in Shanghai, China on October 1.Special Olympics and FIFA joined forces to announce the launch. This ongoing program sees Spec...

Wuerth Company: Promoting Special Olympics
(18 October 2007)

During the male football game between Germany and Czech last night, banners jointly promoting sponsor Wuerthand Special Olympics Germany were on display around the football pitch. Wuerth is one of the main sponsors of the qualifying games for Euro 2008. Wuerth banner will have exposure at all qualifying games. "Out of all Wuerth banners around...

Basketball Competitions With 328 Athletes from Europe/Eurasia
(17 October 2007)

A total of 328 athletes, including 94 ladies from 26 countries in Europe/Eurasia took part in Basketball competitions in the last couple of days. Bosse Stark from Special Olympics Sweden is both a basketball coach assistant and basketball player. During World Games, he competed as a player on his national team.Type "Bosse" or "Stark&...

TEAM Ireland Return to Heroes Welcome!
(17 October 2007)

TEAM Ireland received a rapturous welcome from family members, friends and supporters when they arrived in Dublin Airport last Friday evening. The 141 Athletes and their 55 coaches had just stepped off a gruelling 13 hour flight from Shanghai via London from the Special Olympics World Summer Games, but there was no sign of tiredness.  They wer...

Unprecedented Media Coverage
(12 October 2007)

The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games started on October 2nd. A total of 119 journalists from 26 countries in Europe/Eurasia applied for official accreditation to the Games.Daily satelite feeds were made available for broadcasters to download.  So far a record 1,400 media agencies from over 120 countries have covered the event. Ove...

Glorious Returns to Everyone!
(12 October 2007)

After Spectacular Closing Ceremonies, delegations are now getting prepared for glorious returns to their respective countries.In total, there were 2,801 athletes and partners from Europe/Eurasia competing in 20 sports.  The largest delegations were Austria and Germany with over 200 athletes participating.  Special Olympics Kosov...

Watch Closing Ceremonies Live on www.cctv.com
(11 October 2007)

The Closing Ceremonies of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be broadcast live on www.cctv.com on October 11, 14:00 Brussels time.Over 30,000 people are expected to attend the hour-and-a-half long ceremony. High-tech equipment will help a mentally disabled girl "fly" to symbolize the athletes' dreams of reaching higher...

Nearly 19,000 Free Health Screenings Provided
(11 October 2007)

Over the past 9 days, over 800 volunteers provided nearly 19,000 free health screenings to athletes from 159 of 164 delegations at the World Games.Approximately 4,900 Special Olympics athletes, or 69 percent of athletes participating in the World Games, were screened at the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Village. The screenings, design...

Special Olympics Behind-the-Scenes
(10 October 2007)

Throughout the World Games, guests, officials, journalists, families and coaches alike were give the opportunity to experience a Special Olympics competition in a guided tour led by competition professionals. At select venues, they all were give the opportunity to experience what it takes to be a World Games athlete and how the Games...

Special Olympics Football IS Truly Global
(9 October 2007)

See the enthusiasm of football players! (video attachement below) Despite the heavy rains and stormy wheather in Shanghai, Special Olympics football players give their best on the pitch and show that Special Olympics Football IS truely global.Earlier this week, a ceremony marked the launch of the Special Olympics Global Football, with rep...

Video on Vodcast! UNICEF/Special Olympics partnership
(8 October 2007)

A UNICEF-Special Olympics partnership will promote the participation and empowerment of children with intellecutal disablities and their families through sports, initially in Bulgaria and Uzbekistan for Europe/Eurasia, but also Cambosia, China, El Salvador, Jamaica and Panama. The parnership will seek to build confidence, self-reliance and self-adv...

Video: Sports Highlights are on www.specialolympicslive.org
(8 October 2007)

Thousands of video clips and photos are available on specialolympicslive.org.  See videos from any of the Special Olympics athlete competing in the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, watch videos and slideshows.  Share the excitement and "Be a Fan!" on specialolympicslive.org:Click here for a Sport Highlights video c...

Specialolympicslive.org: More than 300 Involved!
(8 October 2007)

Specialolympicslive.org is one of the largest documentary web projects ever attempted. More than 300 volunteers and a dedicated group of faculty and coaches have worked on this project for almost two years. The project grew out of the desire of Special Olympics Vice President Peter Wheeler to share the magic of the World Games with a world-wide aud...

Video: CNN Covers Special Olympics World Games
(7 October 2007)

Over 80,000 spectators attended Opening Ceremonies as China's largest city hosts 7,300 athletes from 164 countries and regions for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.The Games will be the first major sports event for people with intellectual disabilities ever staged in China.  "China hopes the Games ...

Video: Watch Opening Ceremonies on specialolympicslive.org!
(7 October 2007)

"Judgin by the awe-inspiring display of traditional dance, music and pyrotechnics, Beijing will have a tough act to follow next year at the start of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games," says on October 2 a BBC News coverage of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai.The ceremonies began with an army of chinese drumme...

Global Leaders Attend Global Policy Summit
(5 October 2007)

Government, Health, NGOs, Sports, Academic and Business Leaders Issue a Call to Action to Improve the Well-being of Inidividuals with Intellectual Disabilities.Leaders representing 60 countries gathered in Shanghai, China today to attend the Special Olympics Global Policy Summit in Shanghai, China and further opportunities for people with inte...

Representing Europe/Eurasia
(5 October 2007)

Amongst over 2,5 million athletes competing in Special Olympics, 27% are female athletes, and athletes aged between 8 and 15 represent more than one third (36%) of the total population of Special Olympics athletes worldwide.  Kathlyn Garbin from Special Olympics Norway, 14 is one of them.  Despite her young age; she has a solid experience...

Heart Thumping Opening Ceremonies
(4 October 2007)

Opening Ceremony Reflects the Heart and Spirit of China The long-awaited Opening Ceremony of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games exploded with the heart-thumping rumble of hundreds of traditional Chinese drums, the blaze of fireworks and colorful, exquisite costumes resplendent of the country's ancient culture, emphasizing the first words ...

Yao Ming, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Collin Farrell Show Their Support
(3 October 2007)

Political figure and movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger and NBA basketball legend Yao Ming from China were amongst the celebrities who took part in spectacular opening ceremonies to mark the official opening of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China on Tuesday October 2. Irish actor Collinn Farrell was the master of ceremoni...

"Be a Fan" of Special Olympics Athletes Competing in Shanghai!
(1 October 2007)

The Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai (2-11 October 2007) will be the largest single sporting event in 2007. The enormity of the Games - 7,300 Special Olympics athletes, of which approximately 2,900 from Europe/Eurasia and their families; tens of thousands of coaches, volunteers and Chinese citizens; competitions in 25 Olympic-ty...

Torch Run Reaches Shanghai
(25 September 2007)

The Special Olympics Flame of Hope reached Shanghai today, after travelling a distance of more than 35,000 kilometers (22,000 miles) from Athens to Shanghai.  It spread the message of Special Olympics and highlighted the abilities of athletes to a combined population of 68.4 million people along the route and millions more on television i...

Shimon Peres Sees ISRAEL Delegation Off
(25 September 2007)

Shimon Peres, Israel's former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Nobel Peace Prize, we present to see the national delegation of Special Olympics Israel off, before their departure to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games today.Peres wishes Special Olympics athletes competing in the World Games the very best and salutes the efforts of Special O...

International Conference in KAZAKHSTAN
(14 September 2007)

The place and role of handicapped people is one of the most critical questions faced by NGO’s, Families and others in most East European countries.On September 10, 2007, over 50 participants took part in the „ Government Social Policy in Socialization of Next Generation” international conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan.&nb...

ICELAND: Football Federation Gets Involved with Special Olympics
(13 September 2007)

The Icelandic Football Federation and Special Olympics Iceland are embarking on new partnership.  In May, June and September, athletes with disabilities participated in one day football camps.  On September 9, professional football players Hermann Hreidarsson and Gretar Rafn Steinsson came to meet them, one day after playing the nati...

On the Pitch with the European Parliament and European Commission
(11 September 2007)

On 11 September 2007, Special Olympics Europe/ Eurasia organized its third annual football tournament at the European Parliament to celebrate how sports can improve the public's understanding of the gifts and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities.  Special Olympics athletes were joined on the pitch by a selection of representative...

BELGIUM: Football Federation Support new Special Olympics League
(10 September 2007)

Special Olympics Belgium is increasing its efforts to expand formal Special Olympics football training and competition at local level.  Through a partnership between Special Olympics Belgium, the Belgian Football Federation, and the Province of Limburg, more than 250 Special Olympics players will no have the opportunity to compete every week i...

UEFA Donation in BELGIUM
(5 September 2007)

UEFA and Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia presented Special Olympics Belgium a 3,000 Euro check on August 24, 2007, for their participation in the upcoming Special Olympics World Summer Game in Shanghai.The check donation took place at the Belgium Royal Museum of Fine Arts and History where UEFA is hosting the Exhibition "50 Years of Footb...

CYPRUS: Chinese Embassy Welcomes Delegation
(3 September 2007)

Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr. Zhao Yali, hosted a reception for the SO Cyprus delegation to the upcoming Special Olympic World Summer Games in Shanghai (02-11 October 2007).The reception was held at the Chinese embassy in Nicosia, on Tuesday 28th of August 2007.   Amongst attendees were Mrs. Fotini Papadopoulou, First L...

UKRAINE Hosts 8th Swimming Tournament
(31 August 2007)

On August 20-24, 2007, approximately 100 swimmers from Ukraine and Moldova participated in Special Olympics Ukraine 8th Swimming Tournament, in Odessa, Ukraine. Seven Special Olympics Regions in Ukraine and one team from Moldova participated.  "As we work to develop, Special Olympics Ukraine focuses on establishing solid infrast...

35 days to World Games!
(27 August 2007)

In 35 days, Special Olympics athletes from around the world will march in Opening Ceremonies of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.  With more than 2,900 Special Olympics athletes from Europe/Eurasia, our regional delegation will the the biggest to compete, from 2 – 11 October in 23 different Olympi...

Warsaw, POLAND: Government Pledges Full Support to 2010 Special Olympics European Games
(26 July 2007)

SOEE Managing Director, Mr. Michael Smith, was greeted in Warsaw by the Warsaw President, Mrs. Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz who pledged the city’s full support to creating the most exciting and best promoted SO European Games ever.  Mrs. Gronkiewicz-Waltz underlined the importance of catching up with other European countries in brin...

EUROPEAN UNION: White Paper on Sports and Special Olympics
(12 July 2007)

We have the pleasure to announce that on July 11, the European Commission adopted the White Paper on Sport. The White Paper is the result of extensive consultations by the European Commission over the past two years with sport organisations including Special Olympics, Member States and other stakeholders. This comprehensive initiative aims at provi...

"Support an Athlete" Campaign launched in UKRAINE
(11 July 2007)

Special Olympics Urkaine launched its ‘Support an Athlete’ campaign on July 3, 2007 on occasion of a reception jointly hosted with the Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Ukraine, to celebrate the upcoming 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. In his opening speech Mr Jou Lee, Extraordina...

Register today for the 2008 European Basketball Tournament!
(6 July 2007)

Delegations are invited to visit the "Calendar of Events" section of this website to find out more about the event.Pre-registrations should be sent to Special Olympics Turkey by August 31, 2007Photo: Courtesy of Special Olympics Romania

EUROPEAN COMMISSION: Unified Sports Included in Declaration
(5 July 2007)

Special Olympics was represented at the 2007 European Youth and Sport Forum (EYSF) held in Bonn, Germany on June 17 to 22. The Forum gathered 50 leaders under 30 years of age from 22 different countries to discuss: Diversity, Anti-Discrimination and Social Inclusion Through and in Sports.  Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia was represented b...

Kick Off Event for First Global TORCH RUN
(4 July 2007)

The "Flame of Hope" was lit in Athens, Greece on June 29, 2007.   This event marks the launch of a Global Law Enforcement Torch Run® to announce the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai. The lighting of the “Flame of Hope” officially launches the First Global Law Enforcement Torch Run. T...

Swimming Championships in GREAT BRITAIN
(3 July 2007)

Special Olympics Great Britain partners up to host a Swimming Championships.  Along with partner organizations "MENCAP" and "DSISO" (GB), Special Olympics will host the "Second British Short Course Swimming Championships & Festival of Swimming For People with Learning Disabilities". The event, t...

GERMANY: Chinese Embassy Hosts Reception
(2 July 2007)

Chinese embassies across Europe/Eurasia are opening their doors to receptions that generate awareness for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games and for national delegations. PHOTO: H.E. MA Canrong receiving a pin from Special Olympics Athlete and Global Messenger, Patrick Brehmer, Germany.  On June 26, H.E. MA Canrong, Chinese...

ATHLETECONNECT: 2007 World Games
(26 June 2007)

More than 2,800 athletes from Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia region will be going to the 2007 Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai, China.  This is a unique opportunity to make new connections between Special Olympics athletes and their local communities.AthleteConnect is an opportunity to use World Games participation to make new connect...

"SO Get Into It®" Team Athletics in ROMANIA
(26 June 2007)

New grounds were broken on June 13-17, 2007 with the hosting of an "SO Get Into It®" Team Athletics Invitational Competition in Bucharest, Romania.  "SO Get Into It®" is a Special Olympics awareness and educational program leading to interaction between youth with and without disabilities.  All 96 par...

From RUSSIA with Love!
(25 June 2007)

The biggest strenght of the Adult Rehabilitation Center in Armavir?...  People working there!As a mother and a leader Ms. Elena Kachareva, the Center Director, strives to find a language, which both residents and people deciding about their social well-being can understand.  Cultural activities play a tremendous role at the center, a...

KAZAKHSTAN: Athletes Honored at Chinese Embassy
(22 June 2007)

The Chinese Embassy to Kazakhstan opened its doors to reception generating awareness for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games and Delegation.On June 19, approximately 60 diplomatic, political, international non government organizations, and corporate circles in Astana, capital city of Kazakhstan, attended the reception.  &nbs...

TURKEY Hosts Torch Run Meeting
(3 June 2007)

Seventeen participants attended the Regional Law Enforcement Torch Run Meeting in Kumburgaz, Turkey (June 1-3). The meeting examined plans for regional Torch Run activities for the 2007 World Games and a plan to expand Torch Run networks in the region. The next major regional event will be the 2010 European Torch Run in Warsaw, Poland. The Torch Ru...

TURKEY hosts Regional Sports Conference
(3 June 2007)

The Special Olympics Regional Sports Conference was held in Silivri-Istanbul on May 30 to June 3, 2007.Some 80 National Sports Directors and Coordinators as well 16 computer experts from 40 countries took part in this even.The main topics of the Conference were "More local Special Olympics Competitions" and "Bette...

Athens, GREECE to Host 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games
(1 June 2007)

Special Olympics International announced today that Athens, Greece, will be the host city for the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games. The decision came during the meeting of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors. The 2011 World Summer Games are expected to draw more than 7,000 athletes from nearly 170 countries, as well as ten...

Young Athlete Program News in ROMANIA
(31 May 2007)

On Saturday, May 26, Special Olympics Romania hosted a Young Athletes Forum in Bucharest where the Young Athletes program has been successfully implemented. Participants (children with and without intellectual disabilities, parents and therapists) came from all over Romania.Children were given the opportunity to show their abilities, be encouraged ...

Special Olympics UZBEKISTAN Organizes Second National Games
(31 May 2007)

A spectacular Opening Ceremonies kicks off the Games Three hundred and twenty Special Olympics athletes from all over Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Poland, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Afghanistan participated in the second Special Olympics Uzbekistan National Games from 11-18 May in Bukhara, located 500 km southw...

World Summer Games Promotion and Legacy
(29 May 2007)

About five months to go to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China. Five months to help our athletes be the best prepared of any region. Five months to utilize this unique opportunity to promote Special Olympics across Europe/Eurasia. On our part, SOEE has been in touch with several European Sports Federations and the Europe...

Special Olympics: Linking Europe and AFRICA
(4 May 2007)

SPECIAL OLYMPICS AFRICA: EUROPEAN PARTNERS MEETINGIMPROVING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY18-19 April, 2007 - Dublin, Ireland Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia and Special Olympics Africa would like to thank Special Olympics Ireland, The Irish Government, the representatives from 10 organizations committed to development w...

Warsaw, POLAND to Host 2010 European Games
(30 April 2007)

Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia is delighted to announce that the 2010 Special Olympics European Games will be held in the city of Warsaw, Poland. After a comprehensive and competitive bidding process over the past year, the decision was made at the recent Europe/Eurasia Advisory Council Meeting in Brussels in March to award the Games to Special Ol...

CZECH REPUBLIC: Self-Advocacy in Action
(29 March 2007)

By Marcela KlicperovaDear Ladies and Gentleman!I just returned from the Congress of Inclusion Europe called “Europe in Action” where we discussed self advocacy and supported decision making.I do not like when people helps me with work which I manage by myself and I would like to tell you about what I can do by myself and who helps me wh...