The inaugural Special Olympics European Union (EU) Day, a flagship event of the European Week of Sport, saw almost 200 athletes, coaches and staff take Brussels by storm as they raised their voices at the European Parliament and the European Commission on 24 and 25 September.
Athletes from 26 countries across the European Union (EU) shared their stories and raised their concerns at over 100 meetings with elected representatives and officials in Brussels. Special Olympics delegations engaged in fruitful, lively and productive dialogue with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) including Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament and four EU Commissioners: Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Roxana Mînzatu, European Commission Executive Vice-President, Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare and Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, among many others.
In addition to these bilateral and multilateral dialogues, the athletes were busy with various other events over the two days, including the signing of the “Focus on the Invisible” Declaration, a Networking Reception and the first-ever Unified Sports (bocce and table tennis) event on the floor of the European Commission, followed by Brussels’ first Unified Walk between the European Commission and the European Parliament. The European Parliament hosted an Inclusion Debate and Closing Assembly titled “A More Inclusive Union: Advancing EU Goals through Special Olympics”. Finally, with sports ever at the forefront for the athletes of Special Olympics, they led the draw ceremony for the Unified Volleyball World Cup to be held in Katowice, Poland in early October.
Speaking following the event, David Evangelista, President and Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia, said, “What an honour it was to welcome athletes from across 26 Member States of the EU to powerfully articulate our vision for the future of Europe with such excellence and passion. It was a privilege to witness the leadership of our athletes in action, providing moving accounts of the impact that European Union support continues to have on our communities, and our region. Their lived experience, and the transformative power of our movement, will continue to shape and architect the exciting trajectory ahead for our growing partnership with the EU. Thank you to the over 120 elected representatives and officials from the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council who welcomed us with such openness, and to the athletes who advocated so effectively and professionally for their peers across Europe.”
Lorenzo Mancino, Special Olympics Italy athlete, emphasised the challenges that people with intellectual disabilities face when in conversations with Italian MEPs and in an interview with EU News in Brussels. He said, “Having a disability obliges us to make an effort every day… People should understand our effort and include us. I graduated, and it took a lot of effort; it is unfair that sometimes the school does not recognise that.” Lorenzo told MEPs that Special Olympics organise sports activities so that no one feels left behind and thus recognises the immense effort that athletes make but is not always seen in everyday life.
Speaking during the “Focus on the Invisible” Roundtable, Rachel Chircop of Special Olympics Malta noted:
“During my school years, I was often labelled as ‘different’ or ‘difficult’. This hurt my mental well-being … Things changed when I found Special Olympics. I found an organisation that supported me fully. Through sport, I built courage, determination and confidence.”
Viktor Negrescu, Vice President of the European Parliament, emphasised the importance of his meeting with Special Olympics Romania athlete, Beatrice-Alina, in a post on Facebook. He wrote, “A special moment for me, the meeting with, one of the Romanian champions who medalled at the Special Olympics [World Winter Games] in Turin. Her message to you too: people with disabilities deserve to have a normal life and are capable of so much more. Thank you Betty for your courage and strength! I am happy to be an ambassador and active supporter of Special Olympics for a few years now, managing to gain the support of the European Union for large scale events organized in Europe.”
