The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Special Olympics joined forces at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 with the goal of engaging more individuals with intellectual disability (ID) to take part in cycling. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on 18 June by Special Olympics representatives Mary Davis, CEO, and Lou Lauria, Chief of Sport, as well as The UCI representatives David Lappartient, President, and Amina Lanaya, Director General, at the historic Brandenburg Gate.
The UCI, recognized by the International Olympic Committee, is the world governing body of cycling as it leads the development and oversight of cycling in all its forms and for all people, as a competitive sport, a healthy leisure activity and a sustainable means of transport, but also as a way to have fun. The union of Special Olympics and The UCI is helping to shape the future of cycling by helping to inspire and train more people with and without ID to compete in the sport.
While increasing the number of participants in cycling, the focus of the MOU is to use and adapt existing and new resources to expand cooperation, communications and education of UCI and Special Olympics to encourage others to join the Movement of inclusion in sport.
“The UCI shares the same common values as Special Olympics International and cycling truly lives those values as a sport, health and leisure activity. It is sport for all in every sense of the word and this partnership is well aligned in so many aspects. Special Olympic sport cyclists and athletes who incorporate cycling into their training, or those who cycle with their families, to work or school will all benefit. We could not be more excited to expand our family of international federation partners and embark on some exciting work with the UCI."
