European Particular Olympics Athletes Impress on the Snow as Sports activities Season Kicks-off

Team of six happy people smiling and celebrating while posing for the camera and standing on the first step of the podium. — Slovenian cross-country snowboarding workforce celebrates atop the rostrum in Estonia.

It was an action-packed week because the 2023 Particular Olympics (SO) Europe Eurasia sports activities season started with a whole bunch of athletes with mental disabilities competing at two main winter occasions hosted by SO Poland and SO Estonia, with the help of long-standing associate Lions Golf equipment Worldwide Basis.

Regardless of strict COVID-19 restrictions closely impacting common coaching and competitors schedules over the previous years, each organizers and athletes rose to the problem and delivered first-class occasions, with two years to go till the subsequent Particular Olympics Winter World Video games.

A complete of 135 athletes from hosts Estonia, Austria, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, The Netherlands, Slovenia and Slovakia attended the SO European Cross Nation Snowboarding competitors in Otepaa from 28 February – 3 March.

“For us it is rather necessary to stage this occasion. It offers folks with all talents the chance to compete in a world occasion, join with others from totally different international locations, and have enjoyable!”

Piret Hartman, Estonian Minister of Tradition – on the Opening Ceremony

The nation’s President Alar Karis was additionally in attendance, welcomed all worldwide delegations, interacted with the Particular Olympics athletes and expressed his admiration for them.

Three young people and an adult celebrate with their hands up, while posing for the photo on the snow next to a man wearing a black jacket and a woman in pink. A man smiles in the background, while the event's mascot raises its hand. — Estonian President Alar Karis (carrying a black jacket) and Lions Golf equipment Estonia consultant Raivo Kokser (smiling on the left) shared a enjoyable second with the Particular Olympics athletes.

Lions Golf equipment Estonia representatives Raivo Kokser and present district governor Tõnu Muru additionally actively participated within the occasion. Kokser mentioned: “Lions Golf equipment and Particular Olympics do actually good issues whereas working collectively to make the world a greater place. You should not have to do one thing huge every single day, however you are able to do one thing good every single day.”

On the identical time, 100 athletes from Austria, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Eire, Israel, Monaco, Serbia, Slovakia, Serbia, Switzerland and hosts Poland attended the SO European Alpine Snowboarding competitors in Zakopane between 27 February and three March.

SO Poland Common Director Joanna Styczeń-Lasocka mentioned: “We may showcase what folks with mental disabilities can do because of the help of the Ministry of Sport and Tourism and the State Fund for Rehabilitation of Individuals with Disabilities

“Thanks additionally to our sponsors Tauron Polska Energia and Huawei Polska, and our companions Oshee, ENEA Basis, Levann, Procter&Gamble, Lions Membership Worldwide Basis. ‘Let’s Play Collectively’ is the slogan of our marketing campaign, and we managed to attain simply that because of the help of all of them.

“’Let’s play collectively’ as a result of solely collectively do we have now the power to vary the world so that individuals with mental disabilities have a spot in it.”

Polish Special Olympics alpine skiing athlete in action. — Particular Olympics alpine skiers showcased their excellent talents on the Polish slopes in Zakopane.

Lions Golf equipment Leo volunteers had a key function in making this occasion occur, such is the case of 18-year-olds Julia and Kasia who have been enthusiastic about taking part of their first Particular Olympics occasion. Their mission, they mentioned, was to make athletes really feel “snug and relaxed.”

Their expertise on the Alpine Snowboarding competitors was so pleasing that Julia and Kasia agreed they might not hesitate to “reply to another invitation from Particular Olympics.”

Following the 2 profitable winter sports activities occasions, Particular Olympics Europe Eurasia President David Evangelista expressed: “I wish to prolong our immense gratitude to the complete Particular Olympics Estonia and Particular Olympics Poland groups for his or her great efforts to ship nice competitions.

“The occasions have been large successes—with excessive vitality, top-notch venues, unforgettable athlete experiences, top quality competitors and one of the best of Program management.

“As well as, I wish to provide a particular because of Lions Golf equipment Worldwide Basis for his or her invaluable and steady help.”