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Joanna Despotopoulou, President of the 2011 World Games Organizing Committee, signs the Memorandum of Agreement. Despotopoulou has been President of Special Olympics Hellas (Greece) since its founding 21 years ago. (All photos courtesy of Special Olympics Hellas) |
It is official: Athens, Greece, will host the next Special Olympics World Summer Games, 25 June - 4 July 2011. At a moving signing ceremony in Athens on 14 February in the presence of H.E. Karolos Papoulias, President of the Hellenic Republic, the Memorandum of Agreement was signed and the logo of the 2011 World Games was unveiled.
More than 2,000 people filled the Athens Concert Hall to share in the excitement of the event, which included a video previewing the World Games venues. The venue preview drew thunderous applause and cheers from the more than 200 Special Olympics Hellas (Greece) athletes in attendance as they saw the venues in which their Olympic heroes all competed and where they will now show the world their skills and abilities. Athletes in the 2011 World Games will compete on many of the same venues used in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
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H.E. Karolos Papoulias, President of the Hellenic Republic, spoke at the signing ceremony. "Special Olympics comes to remind us to respect, and will bring an event of international brotherhood and solidarity," he said. |
“Our Dreams have Color” was the theme of a speech given by Joanna Despotopoulou, President of the 2011 World Games Organizing Committee. She artfully described that throughout the journey of life, different opportunities help people see the world in different colors and through the joy and hope of Special Olympics, the athletes see color. “Yes… our dreams have color but only when we really open our eyes and are overwhelmed with life, when we do not imprison them in a lonesome journey, when we do not bury them under a huge ego, when we share them with those who need them truly,” Despotopoulou said. Despotopoulou has been the President of Special Olympics Hellas since its establishment 21 years ago.
The 2011 World Games logo was also unveiled at the event. Designed by Theodora Mantzari, the colorful logo of the 2011 World Games is a radiant sun, representing the source of life that underlines the excellence and power of the athletes who take part in the World Games. Excellence is depicted in the olive branch and power of the spiral form in the center of the sun. The colors reflect the Greek landscape and project emotions: red for life, orange for optimism, blue for determination, light blue for freedom and green for hope.
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Scores of Special Olympics athletes participated in the ceremony, including Olga Dasoura, who played a piece by Bach. |
Stefanos Korkolis performed “The Hymn of Special Olympics,” a piece he composed in 1997 and which was first performed at the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games in North Carolina, USA.
The ceremony celebrated Special Olympics athletes in many ways, sharing the true spirit of the movement - creating a better world through acceptance and inclusion. 2011 World Games Board Member and athlete Nadia Lianou spoke about how her dreams have come true now that the World Games are coming to her home. Athlete Olga Dasoura played a beautiful rendition of a Bach piece which she dedicated to President Papoulias. Scores more athletes participated throughout the event, creating an atmosphere of inclusion.
Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver, in a video message shown at the ceremony, said, “We are waiting to come to Athens, to come home to the spirit of the Olympic movement, to come home to this tradition of human greatness. And we are looking forward to seeing the athletes of Special Olympics lay claim to that tradition. We are glad to be coming home to Athens.”
The ceremony culminated with the induction of 13 Goodwill Ambassadors who represent the media and who have been charged with communicating the messages of respect, acceptance and solidarity through sports and Special Olympics. Each of the Ambassadors received a medallion along with a recognition certificate.
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At the close of the ceremony, 13 Goodwill Ambassadors were inducted. They have been charged with communicating the messages of respect, acceptance and solidarity through sports and Special Olympics. |
Following the ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Greece Daniel V. Speckhard and his wife Dr. Anne Speckhard hosted a luncheon in their residence. Speckhard then joined a Special Olympics International delegation for a private tour of the not yet open Acropolis Museum, which was arranged by the Minister of Culture, H.E. Michalis Liapis. The museum, which will open in one year, is a modern building which represents many characteristics of the Acropolis. The museum was built over an excavation site and through its glass floors guests can watch as archaeologists work to uncover ancient streets and homes dating back to 4000 B.C.
Long-time Special Olympics supporter Marianna Vardinoyianni, who is also an UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, hosted a reception in celebration of the day's events. Mary Davis, CEO of the 2003 World Games, was present and offered her insight and experience to the 2011 Games Organizing Committee as they now prepare for the World Games.
The Special Olympics International Board of Directors selected Greece's bid in June 2007 from among the three finalists (including Cleveland, Ohio, USA, and Rabat, Morocco). In October 2007, representatives of the 2011 World Games Organizing Committee were handed the Special Olympics flag during the Closing Ceremony of the 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.
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The colors of the 2001 World Games logo, which was unveiled at the ceremony, reflect the Greek landscape and project emotions: red for life, orange for optimism, blue for determination, light blue for freedom and green for hope. |
“Major factors in selecting Athens, Greece, as the site of the 2011 World Games were the magnificent city and its people, the spectacular Olympic venues and their proven track record in hosting international events,” said Lee Todd, Special Olympics Chief of World Games. “Special Olympics Hellas, a strong Program celebrating its 21st anniversary today, and its supporters were also factors in our selection.”
The 2011 World Games Organizing Committee will spend the next three years preparing for the World Games, holding a series of events and fundraising activities.
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