For Immediate Release
Athlethes Mark 300 Days to Athens 2011
Special Olympics Flag Raised over City as Athens Prepares to Host the 2011 World Summer Games
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| HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco receives a gift from Mary Davis, Managing Director of SOEE to mark his support for the movement. |
The countdown begins as Special Olympics athletes gathered in Athens on Tuesday, February 16th to mark exactly 300 days to the Opening Ceremony of the 2011 World Summer Games (Athens 2011).
The Special Olympic flag was raised outside Athens City Hall next to the flag of the city where it will remain until the Games in 2011, for all the citizens of Athens and visitors to see.
Taking place from 25th June to 4th July 2011, the thirteenth Special Olympics World Summer Games (Athens 2011) will be the world’s largest sporting event for athletes with intellectual disabilities, drawing 7,000 athletes from more than 180 countries around the world, 3,000 coaches and officials, 25,000 volunteers, 40,000 family members as well as thousands of spectators, witnessing the extraordinary efforts and achievements of the athletes. The competitions and ceremonies will take place in many of the same venues used for the 2004 Olympic Games including the ‘Spyros Louis’ Olympic Stadium.
The Municipality of Athens and the 2011 Games Organising Committee (GOC) also took the opportunity to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation which marks the scale of collaboration from the City of Athens in support of the GOC.
The agreement includes the provision of free use of property for the Olympic Village, concessions for out-door advertising and promotion of Games around the City, promotion of volunteer programmes to the citizens of Athens, use of City radio station and other media properties to promote the Games, placement of information booths at historical points of interest around the city, amongst other commitments.
“Athens is excited and counting the days to hosting the World Summer Games” said Mayor of Athens Mr. Nikitas Kaklamanis: “Special Olympics remind us that volunteerism is the surest way to a more human and giving society. The 2011 World Summer Games provide an excellent opportunity to promote not just here in Greece but across Europe, acceptance, human rights and inclusion for people with disabilities so they can live their lives in dignity and joy”.
Also attending the countdown ceremony was Mrs Mary Davis, Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, Mrs Joanna Despotopoulou, President of the Organising Committee for Athens 2011, Greece’s Secretary General for Sports Mr Panos Bitzaksis as well as other members of the Greek parliament, representatives from all of Greek political parties and representatives across all sectors of Greece society.
For more information on Athens 2011 visit www.athens2011.org
Media Contact:
Maureen Rabbitt
Tel: +353 1 6755715
mrabbitt@specialolympics.org