FLEISHMAN-HILLARD BECOMES SOEE OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS PARTNER
International PR Agency Provides Pro Bono Support to Raise Awareness of the 2010 Special Olympics European Games and the Law Enforcement Torch Run
International PR agency, Fleishman Hillard has become the official communications partners for Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, committing to help significantly improve awareness of the movement across the region.
An initial focus of the agency will be supporting the campaign for the 2010 Special Olympics European Games taking place in Warsaw, Poland from September 18 – 24 and the Law Enforcement Torch Run which will herald the Games across nine European countries.
Special Olympics is the world’s largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sports. In Europe the movement provides year-round free sports training and competition to more than 500,000 athletes.
Speaking of the partnership, John Saunders, Regional President of Continental Europe, Ireland and Eurasia said: “We are delighted to extend our support of the Special Olympics movement across Europe with the European Games and Torch Run clear in our sights. Our offices across Europe including Warsaw, London and Belgium are all eager to help. FH has been a long supporter and believer in the power of the Special Olympics movement, which transforms lives through the power of sport and promotes a world where everyone, regardless of their ability or disability is accepted, welcomed and valued”.
Fleishman Hillard previous held the role as the official communications partner, again on a pro bono basis, for the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games which took place in Dublin, Ireland and with 7,000 athletes competing was the world’s largest sporting event that year.
“I believe, now more than ever before, the Special Olympics movement in Europe is on the cusp of great change” says Mary Davis, Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia . “And I’m confident that as our official communications partner, Fleishman Hillard will play a key role in this transformation. Together our communication efforts will help change the way people with intellectual disabilities are viewed and treated by others, replacing misunderstanding and fear with respect, acceptance and inclusion”.
A total of 1,600 Special Olympics athletes and 600 coaches are expected to compete in nine sporting disciplines during the 2010 Special Olympics European Games. They will be supported by 2,000 volunteers, 450 officials and 1,500 family members.
The Special Olympics ‘Flame of Hope’ will be lit by the rays of the sun in a traditional ceremony in Greece on September 5th and will then be carried by a team of law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes across nine European countries before lighting the cauldron in Legia Stadium, Warsaw during the Opening Ceremony on September 18th.
The European Games are just one part of an active ongoing sports and health programme for Special Olympics. There are 26.5 million people with an intellectual disability in Europe and Central Asia, which represents a huge potential for Special Olympics to empower a neglected population while changing attitudes, fostering community building, providing healthcare and influencing policy.
ENDS
Contact:
Maureen Rabbitt
mrabbitt@specialolympics.org