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Although undoubtedly impressive out on the court, the 10 players of the Special Olympics Hellas (Greece) volleyball team are not at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China, just for the sport. “This has been a very good opportunity for my athletes in making them independent,” says head coach Chrisanthi Karra.
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The Special Olympics Hellas (Greece) volleyball team, winners of the gold medal at the 2003 World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, are making the most of their 2007 World Games experience in Shanghai.
| In the room behind her stand her players, ranging in age from 18-year-old Stavros Theodoridis to 37-year-old Panayiotis Vasileiadis. The team has been together for more than 10 years under the direction of physical education teacher Karra. In fact, three of the athletes have known each other since attending the same elementary school where Karra taught.
As Karra puts it, “Volleyball makes them feel important. The sport gives the players a chance to make friends in other countries and all over the world.” After taking the gold medal in the 2003 World Games in Dublin, Ireland, the players still keep in touch with opposing team members via e-mail. What do the World Games mean to the Greek volleyball team? “Experience. Participation. Enjoyment.” After seeing the athletes joking around with each other before their match, it is clear that they are living these moments to the fullest.
By Justine Yeung |
