The goal: demonstrate to the world that inclusion through sport is achievable.
The event: European Football Week!
For seven glorious days the beautiful game took over Europe Eurasia as Special Olympics celebrated its 17th annual Football Week. It featured 400 football events in 49 countries.
With the support of UEFA and MetLife, Special Olympics programmes staged a range of unified matches, demonstrations, and national tournaments.
Olympiacos FC and Villarreal CF were just some of the big name clubs to back the event. Messages of support from Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Spanish national team coach Julen Lopetegui, and Galatasaray’s star Fernando Muslera gave the over 40,000 athletes real encouragement.
Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Sports Director Miroslaw Krogulec commented: “Football has the power to break down barriers and bring respect and inclusion into society. We did just that during Football Week through Unified Sports.”