Special Issue: Special Olympics Athens 2011 |  |
| Special Issue: Special Olympics Athens 2011 Posted: 01 Jun 2011 04:10 AM PDT  "From a summer camp for people with intellectual disabilities to a World Movement, the Special Olympics change lives and attitudes for more than 40 years." The Athens 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games kick off on June 25 and will last until July 4.
Special Olympics is a non-profit organization that was officially founded in 1968, giving form to the vision of its founder, Eunice Kennedy-Shriver (1921-2009) - a vision born in 1962 in a summer camp at Eunice's home, where children and adults with intellectual disabilities were invited in order for her to explore their abilities in various sports activities.  The 1st International Special Olympics Summer Games were held in Chicago, USA, in 1968, when 1,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities from 26 U.S. states and Canada competed in track and field and swimming. The 1st Special Olympics Winter Games were held in 1977, in Colorado, USA while, in 2003, Ireland hosted the first Special Olympics World Summer Games outside the United States. Special Olympics Hellas was founded in 1987 as a non-profit, sports and educational association for the integration of Greeks with intellectual disabilities in the Global Movement of Special Olympics. In 2007, the Special Olympics International Committee selected Athens to host the Special Olympics World Summer Games for the year 2011. By being offered the opportunity to host the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, 7 years after having hosted the 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Greece will be one of only four countries that will have organized the entire range of great athletic multiple‐sport events.
 ATHENS 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games kick off on June 25 and will last until July 4. Both the opening and closing ceremonies will take place on the set dates, at the Panathenaic Stadium. 7,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities from over 180 countries, 2,500 coaches, 3,000 officials and 25,000 volunteers will participate in the Games, while it is estimated that 40,000 athletes' family members will come to Greece. It is also estimated that 3,000 media representatives, from all over the world, will be accredited to cover the Games. The athletes are expected to compete in 21 sports that will take place in 30 venues.  Special Olympics villages at the Aghios Andreas complex, Nea Makri, and Marathonas, in the north-eastern part of Attica region will host athletes and delegations. Entrance to the competition venues of the ATHENS 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be free for the public.
 The Mascot of the Games is Apollon. The Sun is the symbol of optimism, joy and glory. Its light and warmth are considered a source of life and happiness. Greece, widely known for its long-lasting sunshine has, since ancient times, worshiped the Sun as God. Its selection as the Mascot of the Special Olympics World Summer Games ATHENS 2011, aims to convey the message of joy and optimism towards all athletes and welcome them in Greece with a big warm hug.  The Emblem of the Special Olympics World Summer Games ATHENS 2011 is a radiant sun, the source of life that underlines the excellence and power of the athlete who takes part in the Games. Excellence is depicted in the olive branch and power in the spiral form in the center of the sun. The colours reflect the Greek landscape and portray emotions like passion for life in the warm red, optimism in the orange, determination in the blue, freedom in the light blue and hope in the green. The slogan I'm in delivers a dynamic message, which reflects the significance of participation. It is an inspiration, an incentive, an impulse for all of us, volunteers, athletes, guests, as well as the general public towards endorsing the values of the Special Olympics Movement. At the same time, the slogan invites us all to embrace these –really unique‐ Games that constitute the biggest international humanitarian, sporting event, hosted by our country in 2011. You Tube: Special Olympics Athens 2011 Logo Presentation & Promo video & Mascot-Apollon & Volunteers Programme [VIDEO]
On the evening of June 25, the heart of the world will beat at the Panathenaic Stadium where the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Summer Games ATHENS 2011 will take place. "Volunteer No 1," Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias will proclaim the opening of the Games.  The opening ceremony will feature a greeting by Prime Minister George Papandreou and Special Olympics International Chairman Timothy Shriver, while several heads of state, ministers, athletes and celebrities will be among the guests. Soul music legend Stevie Wonder and his band will let the music play during the night, while tenor Vittorio Grigolo and Greek singer Alkistis Protopsalti will perform a song specially written for the Athens Games by composer Stefanos Korkolis.  Artistic Director of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies is choreographer Fokas Evagelinos and presenters of the show will be Maria Menounos and George Kapoutzidis. Ten days later, on the evening of July 4, the closing ceremony will mark the end of the biggest sporting event worldwide for the year 2011. The 7,500 athletes from 185 countries will march through the Panathenaic Stadium on June 25 and July 4 and shout to the whole world: Let me win! But if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt. Athens 2011: Tickets for Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Some 25,000 volunteers will be involved in the Games, providing high quality services to the athletes and the rest of the participants.  The Special Olympics Volunteers Programme is aiming at providing an unforgettable and rewarding life experience to all the people who will offer their volunteer services to the Games. Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias -the First Citizen of the country- signed up as the first Volunteer, on March 30, 2009. Athens 2011: Volunteers Brochure
 Polis Amphitrion is the Host Town programme of the Special Olympics Games 2011 and is taking place few days before the official inauguration, from June 20 to 24. Nearly 10,000 athletes, coaches and delegations from more than 180 countries will be hosted in towns and islands throughout the 13 regions of Greece prior to their arrival in Athens for the Games. Through a series of sporting, cultural and artistic events, Special Olympics athletes will have the opportunity to adapt to a new environment, experience Greek culture, enjoy the natural beauty and traditional cuisine, as well as train before the Games. Host Town Programme: Crete & Thassos Island & Patra & Alexandroupoli & Thessaloniki & Zakynthos Island & Skiathos Island
 The Ceremony for the Lighting of the Flame of Hope for the Special Olympics World Summer Games ATHENS 2011 will take place at the archeological site of Pnyx on June 9. Carrying the message of the Games, the Flame of Hope will travel to five continents and will return to Athens to light the altar at the Panathenaic Stadium, marking the official opening of this special event. The torch of the Games has been designed by Zolotas Jewellers and combines two classical elements of Greek civilisation, a meander and an ionic order column. The meander pattern is a symbol of victory, infinity and eternal life but also an emblem of great achievement. With this precious symbol, the sacred flame will cross the five continents sending a message of peace, reconciliation and hope to the world.
 To mark the Special Olympics Summer Games ATHENS 2011, the Ministry of Finance has dedicated its 2011 commemorative and collector programme to the event. Together with the Bank of Greece Printing Works, the Finance Ministry has issued a € 2 commemorative coin depicting the emblem of the Games, a new series of collector coins and special sets of circulation coins. The collector coins are available as of May 30.
The official Licensed Products of ATHENS 2011 Special Olympics Games are more than just souvenirs.  There is a huge collection of modern design and high quality products such as key chains, magnets, bags, ties, scarves, glassware, all bearing the radiant sun emblem of the Games. For the collectors and pins lovers, there is a great variety of pins. The Games of recent years have proved that pins are not just a commemorative product; they are also a pleasant hobby, and it is not a coincidence that they are called the Spectators' Sports. Pins draw their subjects from a variety of design themes such as emblems, mascots, games values, sports, and a wide range of other design themes.
Parallel to the Special Olympics Athens 2011, several non- sport events will take place. The Global Youth Summit will be hosted at the Hellenic Parliament with the participation of youngsters aged 13 to 17 with or without disabilities. The young people will have the opportunity to talk openly about their needs and expectations, issuing a declaration which will be ratified by the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias and will be sent to the United Nations to be distributed to all member states.  The Special Olympic Festival will entertain the city's guests with a great range of cultural events. Moreover, around the city center there will be several stands where athletes, Games spectators and guests will be given the chance to personally experience the 22 Special Olympics sports and gain unforgettable memories. Athens Every Week project will also be present at the celebrations with its Special Olympic Week running from June 27 to July 3. More Events: Healthy Athletes Programme & School Enrichment Programme & Global Policy Summit & Family Forum
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