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WASHINGTON, DC, 5 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 today’s 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 tens of thousands of volunteers, event officials, coaches, families, spectators and journalists from around the world. The Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens will be the largest sporting event in the world during 2011. The 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games will take place in Shanghai on 2-11 October. The 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games will be held in Boise, Idaho (USA), on 2-13 February.
The other finalist sites for the 2011 World Games were Cleveland, Ohio, and Rabat, Morocco.
“With so many outstanding cities in contention, it was a very difficult and close decision,” said Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver. “The bidding process was extremely rigorous and the final decision came after much consideration, but ultimately the Board concluded that Athens was the most appropriate city to host the next Special Olympics World Summer Games.”
The bidding and site review process took place over a period of 18 months and involved site visits by senior Special Olympics officials.
“Athens provides outstanding venues and demonstrates the knowledge, understanding and excitement around our athletes, the goals of the movement and the overall experience expected from a World Games event,” said Lee Todd, Special Olympics’ Chief of World Games and Competition.
“Athens has an ancient tradition of sports excellence and we know this great city will provide an outstanding global platform to showcase the courage, dedication and talents of the athletes of Special Olympics,” Shriver said. “We look forward to working closely with the organizing committee to create an event that will leave a lasting legacy for people with intellectual disabilities from around the world.”
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