Athletes with intellectual disabilities ready for Special Olympics

ABO/NDO- The Vietnamese team has arrived in Germany to attended the Special Olympics World Games, the world's largest sporting event for athletes with intellectual disabilities, autism and cerebral palsy.

People with and without disabilities, people of different nationalities, cultures, political and religious views meet and are able to overcome existing prejudices with the power of sport in Berlin from June 17-25.

About 7,000 athletes and unified partners from approximately 190 countries and territories will compete in 26 sports this year. The competitors will be supported by more than 3,000 coaches and 20,000 volunteers.
The Vietnamese contingent includes six athletes and three coaches. Nguyen Thi Anh Thu and Kieu Nguyen Danh Thai are representatives in athletics. Nguyen Chau Hoang Phuc and Do Thi Cam Ly will take part in boccia. Nguyen Ngoc Lan Anh and Nguyen Dinh Toan will compete in swimming.

The Vietnamese Special Olympics World Games contingent at the HCM City's Tan Son Nhat Airport before leaving for Berlin, Germany. (Photo of VPSC).

Vietnam Airlines provided air tickets for the Vietnamese team to attend this Olympics.

More than sports, the Games will also include over 120 inclusive offers from the Berlin cultural sector. The official opening took place on June 10 at the Humboldt Forum.

Cultural institutions from all over Berlin join forces to offer an extraordinary programme that reflects the spirit of inclusion and diversity that the Games stand for, till June 25.

The programme is an important part of the Special Olympics Festival, which will also feature great events of music, shows and dance at the Neptunbrunnen; exhibitors, workshops, street food and activities in the Sommergarten of Messe Berlin; and highlight events of various sport try-outs, concert evenings and Fête de la Musique at the Brandenburger Tor.

Special Olympics is the world's largest sports movement for people with intellectual disabilities, with more than 5 million athletes in 174 countries, and is officially recognised by the International Olympics Committee.

The tournament takes place every two years and alternate between Summer and Winter Games, a schedule similar to the Olympics and Paralympics.

(Source: NDO)