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NEWSLETTER JAN/FEB 2021

AN ATHLETE’S NEW YEAR WISH

Hear from Haseeb Abbassi, Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger (SSIGM), and owner of Squeezy The Juice Bar, on his hopes and wishes for the movement.

“For 2021, I wish for more love, understanding, acceptance, kindness and most of all inclusion in the world. Now that my long dream of finally becoming a business man has come true and Squeezy - The Juice Bar is finally a reality, I wish that all my friends from all over the world can also fulfill their dreams of becoming productive members of their communities. Therefore being SSIGM, my message for all the influential people, legislators, politicians and celebrities is to come join our voice so that everybody in this world can lead a life with respect and dignity.

 

I’m a leader because I have worked very hard and I believe, anybody who works hard can do their best. This is what I have learnt by participating in sports.

 

Despite the challenges I faced in my life because of COVID 19 last year , I did not lose hope . I made beautiful memories as I had people in my life who knew the importance of love. They kept on helping me and made me learn new things. I’m thankful to my mentors, Program leaders, youth leaders, Athletes of Special Olympics Pakistan, Special Olympics Asia Pacific, and Special Olympics International for the most wonderful success in the world! All the best for a bright future! May there be success at every turn of life and all your dreams come true!”

- Haseeb Abbasi

BRINGING THE WORLD TOGETHER

The Special Olympics World Winter Games 2022 will be held in Kazan, Russia. More than 2,000 Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities from over 100 countries will compete in seven sports and be supported by 3,000 volunteers and 4,000 dignitaries and family members from all around the world.

Mary Davis, Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics, said, "Special Olympics is proud to host World Winter Games 2022 in Kazan, Russia. Kazan has established itself as a city capable of hosting top international sporting events, and I am confident World Winter Games 2022 will leave a lasting legacy of inclusion in Russia and show the world that sports are a catalyst for inclusion and peace."

 

Recent Games have left legacies of policy changes, financial investments, and measurable changes in attitudes. In addition to sports competitions, Special Olympics World Winter Games 2022 will focus on expanding the organization’s programming in health, education, and leadership for athletes.

 

SHREY KADIAN: NEW REGIONAL

REPRESENTATIVE OF GALC

Jasmine Sharif, Special Olympics Pakistan has completed her three year term and hands over the reins to athlete leader Shrey Kadian as the new regional representative on the Special Olympics Global Athlete Leadership Council.

 

Athlete leaders on the council represent the voices of people with intellectual disabilities around the world. They highlight issues faced by people with ID, and help co-create solutions for a more unified and inclusive world.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS THAILAND

HOSTS VIRTUAL GAMES

Special Olympics Thailand recently organized its first Virtual Games, enabling 864 athletes to experience the joy of sports from the safety of their homes and schools.


Athletes with intellectual disabilities took part in activities related to athletics, bocce, football, badminton, table-tennis, and aerobic dance. Athletes with profound and multiple disabilities also had the chance to take part in the Motor Activity Training Program (MATP).

 

The highlights of the event was set to One Chance which was written specially for occasion.

 

SPECIAL OLYMPICS SINGAPORE

SHINES AT

PLAY INCLUSIVE 2020

On 7 November 2020, over 100 students from mainstream and special education needs schools came together to play and have fun in the finale event of Play Inclusive 2020.

 

Together with 24 participants onsite, Singapore's Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Mr Eric Chua, kickstarted the blended event (physical and digital) at Toa Payoh ActiveSG Sport Hall. Other participants joined the event via zoom.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS AUSTRALIA

WINS INNOVATION CHALLENGE

 

Special Olympics Australia’s design to support more effective inclusion of children with intellectual disability and autism in school sport is one of the winners of the Heart Foundation’s 2020 Active Australia Innovation Challenge.

 

The Inclusive Sports in Schools program won a $10,000 grant with which they will use to build the capacity of schools, teachers, coaches, and community sports clubs to deliver inclusive physical activity programs in Victoria.

SO Australia has also extended their longstanding partnership with disability service provider, Total Recreation to create more competition pathways for Northern Territory athletes with intellectual disability.

YOUTH AS CATALYSTS

FOR FACILITATING INCLUSION

The youth are future leaders, influencers, and potential key pillars of the community. Special Olympics Asia Pacific President and Managing Director, Dipak Natali shares with The CSR Journal on how young people can serve as catalysts for facilitating inclusion in education.

 

“Those lessons learnt in school don’t just stay there; students go on to implement them in the wider world. Hence, it’s important to impact young people the most when they are growing up. If an organisation or a movement makes young people the proponents of change, they will take that mantle and that responsibility seriously and from there, the rest of the community will follow,” he adds.

BREAKING RECORDS WITH AN IRON GRIT

Special Olympics athlete Chris Nikic has received a Guinness World Records for becoming the first man with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman.

Chris conquered a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 marathon run to complete the IRONMAN in a total time of 16:46:09. During the race, he suffered an attack by ants during a nutrition stop and fell off of his bike a couple of times. With blood dripping from his knee, he jumped right back on in a show of true sportsmanship and grit.

Watch the 60-minute series debut episode of Anything Is Possible® - The Series, which features Chris Nikic, the first person with Down syndrome to complete a full-distance IRONMAN® triathlon.
JOB OPPORTUNITY

SOAP is looking for a Games and Competition Development Manager to join the

team. Passionate about using sports for good? Believe that inclusion is every man's right? Possess a crazy combo of guts, grit and grace? We want you!

RESOURCES

NEW LAUNCH -  SWIMMING COACHING GUIDES

Special Olympics Coach Education and Development and The Michael Phelps Foundation (MPF) have launched the Swimming Coaching Guide in Spanish and Chinese.

 

The new coaching guide includes topics such as psychology, fitness, new athlete assessment tools, and a collection of drills provided by MPF. The guide also contains the world renowned MPF IM Program content which is already being delivered by SO Coach Trainers around the world.

 

The guide is available here:

English – Online or Download     

Spanish – Download       

Chinese - Download

GET STRONG WITH DREW MCINTYRE

 

Special Olympics launches new School of Strength sessions – Class is in session helmed by WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre. It features a United Fitness Kit workout to help improve endurance, strength, and agility.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS BI-WEEKLY

GLOBAL WEBINARS TO CONTINUE

Be part of the Special Olympics bi-weekly global webinars led by Mary Davis, CEO; Timothy Shriver, Chairman; the Global Leadership Team; and hundreds of Special Olympics staff and athletes from around the world every other Tuesday at 9:30am ET.

Register now to join the next webinar on 9 February.

Submit questions in advance using this form

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