The Olympic Torch in sight of the next ones Special Olympics National Games #SmartGAmes, made a stop in Cassano allo Ionio.
Thus, after the restrictions due to Covid-19, the games created to counter the isolation of thousands of people with intellectual disabilities restart. The Olympic Torch will cross all the provinces of Calabria, to continue the journey in the other regions, until it reaches the final stage, scheduled for 1 July next, in Rome with the official lighting ceremony of the Special Tripod that will kick off to sports competitions.
The event, scheduled from 1 to 15 July next, will also involve thousands of athletes for this edition who will compete in 19 sports: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Soccer, Rowing, Karate, Gymnastics, Golf, Swimming, Volleyball, Snowshoeing, Rugby, Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Snowboarding, Tennis and Table Tennis.
The competitions, structured through individual activities to be held also outdoors on the basis of the relevant national and territorial provisions on safety, consist of exercises developed and adapted to the context by the national technical discipline staff. The primary objective of Smart Games 2.1 is to combat the isolation of thousands of people with intellectual disabilities. The sense of the initiative is all enclosed in a challenge that, in a still difficult and delicate context, transmits confidence for the future to the special people participating. Special Olympics is an international organization that gives a voice to the human spirit every day and around the world through the power and joy of playing sports.
With its work in sports, health, community education and training, Special Olympics addresses inactivity, injustice, intolerance and social isolation by encouraging and supporting people with intellectual disabilities in order to create a more welcoming and inclusive society. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Movimento Special Olympics has grown to over 5,169,489 athletes in 174 countries.
With the support of more than one million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics offers the opportunity to practice 32 Olympic disciplines in more than 103,540 competitions throughout the year. The mayor of Cassano All’Ionio, Gianni Papasso, applauding the commendable initiative, sent a message of good wishes to all the athletes participating in the Special Olympics sports competition # SmartGAmes, with particular reference to Calabrian special kids. (rcs)
