Representatives from across Europe gathered at the Sport Ireland Campus this week for the opening of the European Week of Sport (EWOS), a flagship annual initiative of the European Commission, which takes place from 23 to 30 September this year. Since its launch in 2015, #BeActive and the European Week of Sport have seen 118 million participants take part in over 433,000 activities across 40 countries. Special Olympics teams across the continent have been involved from its inauguration. The aim this year is to inspire people to move more and embrace a more active lifestyle, no matter who you are, how fit you are, or how competitive you are.
The launch event gathered representatives from across the world of sports, as well as political representatives. Speakers included: Ellen Keane, five-time Irish Paralympian and gold medallist, Patrick O’Donovan, Ireland’s Minister for Culture, Communication and Sport, Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Georg Hausler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport in the European Commission, John Foley, Chairperson Sport Ireland and Dr. Úna May, CEO of Sport Ireland.
“Sport Creates a Reason for People to Come Together”
Additionally, speaking via video to the gathered crowd was Glenn Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport. Commissioner Micallef noted, “For more than a decade, the European Week of Sport has brought people together across Europe to make movement easier to discover, easier to share and easier to enjoy.
At a time when so much can pull people apart, sport creates a reason for people to come together, to play on the same team, to share the same space and cheer for each other. It has a remarkable way of turning strangers into teammates. Wherever you are joining us from today, start where you are. Invite someone along if you can. Be active your way and thank you to everyone making this week possible … Thank you for getting people moving and creating places where people can belong. That work matters enormously and especially today.”
“Be active your way Aligns Strongly with the Ethos of Special Olympics”
Sven Albrecht, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia President and Managing Director, welcomed the opening of the European Week of Sport. He said, “Special Olympics Europe Eurasia is proud to have been an enthusiastic partner of the European Week of Sport (EWOS) since its launch over a decade ago. In the last 11 years, we have watched EWOS and #BeActive grow into a powerful movement across 40 countries. Special Olympics coaches, athletes and families have energetically contributed to its growing reach. Be active your way—this year’s EWOS theme—aligns strongly with the ethos of Special Olympics. Wherever you are, whoever you are, whatever your journey with sport and movement so far in your life, there is a place for you. Thank you to Commissioner Glenn Micallef for your leadership, to all of the teams at the European Commission who drive this vital initiative forward and to Sport Ireland for welcoming Special Olympics representatives to a dynamic launch event in Dublin. We look forward to further strengthening the thriving connections between Special Olympics and the European institutions at the upcoming Special Olympics European Union Day in November.”
“Everyone Should Have the Opportunity to be Active, to Participate and to Belong”
Karen Coventry, National Director of Special Olympics Ireland who attended the Opening, said, “Having the European Week of Sport launch here in Ireland, and particularly on the Sport Ireland Campus where Special Olympics Ireland is proud to have its office, is a wonderful reflection of the role sport can play in bringing people and communities together. It is especially significant as Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
For Special Olympics Ireland, the message of #BeActive is one we strongly believe in. Everyone should have the opportunity to be active, to participate and to belong, regardless of ability. Our athletes demonstrate every day the confidence, friendships, health and sense of community that sport can create.
We are delighted to be part of European Week of Sport and to help ensure that people with intellectual disabilities are visible, valued and included in this European movement.”
The European Week of Sport runs from 23 to 30 September. To learn about activities in your community, visit the website: European Week of Sport Home - Sport
