Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
European Contact:
Maureen Rabbitt Communications Director, SOEE
T: +353 1 6755715 / +353 87 786 6001
E: mrabbitt@specialolympics.org
Global Contact:
Mandy Murphy
Senior Media Manager, SO Inc.
T: +1-202-824-0227
E: mamurphy@specialolympics.org
SPECIAL OLYMPICS EUROPE/EURASIA RECEIVES OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FROM EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO EXPAND UNIFIED SPORTS® PROGRAMME
Grant funding awarded to Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia under Preparatory Action in the field of sport 2009
Dublin, Ireland – November 16, 2009: Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia have received a significant boost to its efforts in promoting opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities through sport, on receiving this week a funding grant of $671,543 (447,120.00 Euro) from the European Commission under the Preparatory Action in the field of sport 2009.
According to Mary Davis, Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia: “We are delighted to receive this financial endorsement from the European Commission. This grant funding will certainly further our aim of helping to empower through sport, people with intellectual disabilities across Europe, while also changing attitudes, fostering community building and creating a more inclusive and accepting world for all of us.
“I believe we are entering into an exciting new phase for sport in Europe. The European Union (EU) has recognised the important role sport plays in education, culture, social cohesion and public health within our European society. With the impending ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, at last Europe has a legal base to provide a supporting role to member states. EU institutions will be able to recognise the important role of sport in European societies far more than they have ever been able to do in the past” continued Mary Davis.
The objective of the 2009 Preparatory Action in the field of sport is to prepare the European Union for implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon after ratification on the basis of priorities set out in the White Paper on Sport of 14 April 2008. The Treaty of Lisbon is an international agreement signed in Lisbon on 13 December 2007 designed to reform the workings of the EU.
For Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia a significant portion of the grant funding will go towards its Unified Sports® programme which creates opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete together on integrated teams. The experience allows participants to develop sports skills and further social cohesion in the community.
Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia operates across 58 countries in Europe and Central Asia proving year-round sports training and competitions to half a million athletes.
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About Special Olympics:
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to nearly 3.1 million athletes in 228 Programs in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in places like China and from regions like the Middle East to the community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.
About Special Olympics Europe Eurasia:
Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia (SOEE) works with half a million athletes in 58 countries across Europe and Eurasia (Easter Europe and Central Asia), providing year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. The 2010 Special Olympics European Games will be hosted in Warsaw, Poland followed by the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games taking place in Athens, Greece. Special Olympics and Paralympics are two separate organizations recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Special Olympics provides sports opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities of all ability levels. Paralympics provides opportunities for elite-level athletes with disabilities.
Visit www.specialolympics-eu.org for more information on Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia.
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