Netherlands

Since the Covid pandemic. many programmes in Europe have launched a new version of their virtual games!

As part of a global mission to build inclusive communities for all, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia has announced a two-year agreement with The UPS Foundation to support Special Olympics inclusive programming and grass-roots activities.

Not even a global pandemic could stop Special Olympics Netherlands from having the time of their lives at their first ever online National Games: Unified Moves! Even though health concerns and quarantine restrictions forced the team to cancel the traditional event, Special Olympics Netherlands and Coca-Cola welcomed everyone to join a brilliant online event from the safety of their own homes!

With the world in lockdown over the past months, Special Olympics programmes across Europe Eurasia were forced to cancel or postpone activities to protect the health of athletes and their families.

Not knowing the disruption and destruction that the Coronavirus was to cause, in late 2019, the Special Olympics Netherlands team began developing an app to support athletes to stay fit and healthy at home.

It’s not every day at work that you hear from a gold-medallist who commands crowds of 64,000 people—no wonder the staff of FOX Sports Netherlands were so inspired by Special Olympics Netherlands Athlete Leader, Lize Weerdenburg!

She’s a gift-shop assistant, a nursing-home volunteer—and a Special Olympics gold medallist!

Thanks to his talent and hard work, Joshua turned a temp job into a permanent contract—working for Ajax Football Club!

Suzanne van den Einden-Brok from The Netherlands is both a Special Olympics Athlete Leader and a dedicated footballer. Now she’s combining her talents on a mission open up the beautiful game to ALL women and girls!

Football fields all across Europe are coming alive with activity this summer, as women and girls with and without intellectual disabilities claim their rightful place on the pitch.