Euroleague for Life is dedicated to using the popularity and visibility of our teams, players and league to support those who truly need it
Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball CEO
For Immediate Release
EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL DEDICATES FINAL FOUR TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS
‘Basketball for Everyone’ is the theme of 2010 Final Four promoting great opportunities in basketball for athletes with intellectual disabilities
Special Olympics athletes took centre court at the Euroleague Final Four competition in Paris, France from May 7th - 9th, before a sold-out crowd of 15,700 and an unprecedented world TV audience watching from afar, as Euroleague continues to promote more opportunities for players with intellectual disabilities in the Game.
Taking place in the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy stadium in Paris, France, under the slogan ‘Basketball for Everyone’, Euroleague is dedicating the 2010 Final Four to Special Olympics as part of their partnership with the movement during the 2009/10 season with a number of promotional activities happening both on and off court.
Last November 20 basketball games in 24 cities across Europe were dedicated to Special Olympics with Euroleague basketball clubs, players, coaches and referees all actively playing their part in promoting respect, acceptance and inclusion for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Euroleague’s support of Special Olympics is part of its Social Responsibility Programme, Euroleague for Life. According to Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball CEO: “Euroleague for Life is dedicated to using the popularity and visibility of our teams, players and league to support those who truly need it. It is our call to action and a way for everyone to improve someone’s life”.
As the world's largest year-round sports training programme for people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics is aiming to increase the number of basketball players in Europe and Central Asia from 53,000 to 56,000 in 2010 as well as to recruit 300 new volunteer coaches.
"Through their enthusiasm and commitment to Special Olympics, Euroleague have shown that they are committed to promoting basketball for everyone while breaking down stereotypes about intellectual disabilities in the process," Mary Davis, Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, said. "We are very excited about the new opportunities that this collaboration will open and the growing momentum for basketball in our movement."
More information is available at www.euroleague.net or www.specialolympics-eu.org.
ENDS
Contact:
Maureen Rabbitt
Communications Director, SOEE
mrabbitt@specialolympics.org