Monthly Archives: June 2011

“It’s amazing he was even walking around”

That was the reaction of Fotis Velissarakos, the volunteer doctor in charge of the Opening Eyes venue at Healthy Athletes to Hicham Novara, a swimmer from Morocco competing at World Games. Hicham came to Healthy Athletes with extremely bad vision but … Continue reading

Posted in 2011 World Summer Games, Healthy Athletes | 7 Comments

Olympic Bests Around the World, Every Day

Even with so much going on at the Special Olympics World Summer Games, we must not forget that 3.7 million athletes around the world are accomplishing Olympic-sized feats every day. Two examples are Salihin Bin Sinai from Singapore and Herith … Continue reading

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The World As Their Witness

I am here in Athens working our best to help service all of the great media who support us with the inspiring stories of our Special Olympics athletes that deserved to be shared – – and this morning was fortunate … Continue reading

Posted in 2011 World Summer Games, Athens 2011 | 1 Comment

World Games Safety Update

Wanted to pass a quick word of thanks to all who have expressed concern about the safety of our athletes with regard to the riots in Greece. Please know that the riots are not in immediate proximity to our sporting … Continue reading

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GYAS leaders Interview Special Olympics athletes

Over the last week or so, I’ve had the opportunity to follow the activities of youth leaders attending the Global Youth Activation Summit (GYAS). There have been many amazing moments as these youth learn more about leadership and activation; however, … Continue reading

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Youth visit Hellenic Parliament

A monumental day for youth in Greece and around the world. Participants from the Global Youth Activation Summit joined Special Olympics Chairman and CEO Tim Shriver at the Hellenic Parliament to deliver a proclamation to the President of the Hellenic Parliament, … Continue reading

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Celebrities and athletes share the power of Unity Sports events

We just wrapped a great press conference at Athens 2011 about Unity Sports events.  Unity Sports is a series of exhibition competitions that pair people with and without intellectual disabilities to compete alongside one another on the field of play. … Continue reading

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Someone Who “Get’s It”

Outside the world of Special Olympics, it is rare to encounter someone who understands the mission of our movement as well as Anthony Lake, Executive Director of UNICEF.  He is someone who “gets it.” He gets that Special Olympics isn’t … Continue reading

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Special Olympics is using sport to create social change

Today, for the first time in the history of the Special Olympics movement, leadership from all corners of the global sports community gathered in one room during Special Olympics World Summer Games ATHENS 2011 to address how Special Olympics utilizes … Continue reading

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The Islanders Unify

Volunteers, family and delegation members from Ireland, the Caribbean and the Pacific island of Samoa enjoyed a fun night of celebration together on the eve of the Opening Ceremony. These Teams have more in common that just being island nations. The … Continue reading

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