Shimmie and Shake Your Way Into #InternationalDanceDay with Special Olympics Athletes
Join Special Olympics athletes as they celebrate International Dance Day on 29 April. The day is recognized around the world by the Dance Committee of the International Theater Institute who is the main partnership of the performing arts of United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Dance allows free expression of emotion and action while teaching discipline, skill and art helping individuals stay active and improving overall health. Special Olympics values the creativity and the inclusion that dance and dancing employs within people all around the world. The international dance community embraces and uplifts all who partake in dance and creates a community of inclusion and education which Special Olympics also prides itself in leading that movement.
Dance allows free expression of emotion and action while teaching discipline, skill and art helping individuals stay active and improving overall health. Special Olympics values the creativity and the inclusion that dance and dancing employs within people all around the world. The international dance community embraces and uplifts all who partake in dance and creates a community of inclusion and education which Special Olympics also prides itself in leading that movement.
Emma Kemp - SO Netherlands
Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel? “I started dancing because I love to dance! Dancing makes me feel very good. I am gaining more self-confidence when I dance.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “I like to dance with my group of friends from Special Olympics.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “I like to dance with my group of friends from Special Olympics.”
Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel? “I like dancing and I like participating in anything that lets me show other people my skills. It makes me feel happy. I have fun and enjoy doing it!”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “I love dancing with Special Olympics because I have the opportunity to compete.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “I love dancing with Special Olympics because I have the opportunity to compete.”
Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel? “Because I love it and It makes me very, very happy.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? "I love it when I do it!"
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? "I love it when I do it!"
Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel? “I’m always dancing, even to music from ads and jingles. I feel like I’m in “my thing,” doing what I enjoy!”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “It’s always a great pleasure.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “It’s always a great pleasure.”
Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel? “I dance because, since I was a child, my family always had music on and they taught me to dance. It makes me feel very happy.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “I love it! I’ve had two opportunities and they were fantastic!”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “I love it! I’ve had two opportunities and they were fantastic!”
Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel? I started when I was very little, but when I turned 10, I’ve prioritized it and have been doing it with more dedication. HAPPY! I feel so confident when I do it, or when I try to make others dance too!”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “A lot! And felt very supported!”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “A lot! And felt very supported!”
Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel? “It’s relaxing and enjoyable. When I think about dancing, I feel happy.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “I love dancing with Special Olympics and the experience has been awesome.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “I love dancing with Special Olympics and the experience has been awesome.”
Juliette van Broekhuisen - SO Netherlands
Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel? “I started because I love to dance and it makes happy. It gives me a great feeling.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “It’s really nice. It’s fun, its healthy, and you can do it on your own or with other people.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “It’s really nice. It’s fun, its healthy, and you can do it on your own or with other people.”
Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel? “I started dancing five years ago. I always liked hip-hop dance style. I am a fan of the Move dance studio. When we had the opportunity to do it at school, I started doing it with pleasure. Also, I started dancing outside of school.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “It unites people for great communication with each other. Each competition is not only a desire to perform better, but also a desire to see how others dance.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “It unites people for great communication with each other. Each competition is not only a desire to perform better, but also a desire to see how others dance.”
Coraline Le Barzic - SO France
Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel? “I love to dance and have fun. Dancing brings me joy.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “I like dancing with Special Olympics. It is enjoyable.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “I like dancing with Special Olympics. It is enjoyable.”
Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel? “Dancing makes me calm.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “I enjoy it and it’s good when celebrating.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “I enjoy it and it’s good when celebrating.”
Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel? “I dance for fun and it makes me feel good.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “I like it and it is fun to have fun together with others."
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “I like it and it is fun to have fun together with others."
Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel? “It is fun to dance with others.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “Dancing with Special Olympics is a good way for everyone to come together and dance.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “Dancing with Special Olympics is a good way for everyone to come together and dance.”
Marilyne Tuls - SO Netherlands
Why did you start dancing and how does it make you feel? “I like to move to music. I like music. It makes my head empty. Dancing makes me happy! When I’m down, the music makes me feel all right.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “It’s very special. It gives me a boost to dance for a jury and at the same time it feels like I’m scared.”
How do you like dancing with Special Olympics? “It’s very special. It gives me a boost to dance for a jury and at the same time it feels like I’m scared.”