MEP supports Special Olympics North East

12.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 14th May 2009

A written declaration in support of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia (SOEE) - an organisation which enables half a million children and adults with intellectual disabilities to take part in sports training and major events across Europe - has been adopted by the European Parliament.

With the backing of the European Parliament and the European Commission, the organisation hopes to be able to showcase its good work at the 2011 World Special Olympics in Athens and the 2010 European Special Olympics in Warsaw.

Special Olympics in Great Britain was formed in 1978 and currently provides sporting programmes to over 8000 children and adults at 135 clubs in the UK. However they believe there are further 1.2 million people across Great Britain with a learning disability who may not currently have the opportunity to take part in sport at any level.

The Global Movement has evolved world-wide to include 160 countries and 2.25 million athletes through its nationals, regional and local programmes.

In the North East, Special Olympics can be found in Darlington Castlebeck, Durham, Sunderland, Hartlepool, Northumberland and Skelton/ Cleveland.

North East MEP Fiona Hall, who signed the declaration, acknowledges the immense benefits such a scheme presents, not only for the athletes, but their families and the wider community too.

The Lib Dem Euro-MP said:

"I am delighted that the EU has chosen to support this venture, as a prime example of the important work of such organisations in advocating diversity, accessibility and opportunity for all. Those taking part will profit greatly from participating in this scheme."

"It is great to hear that our local MEP Fiona Hall is backing the call for the European Parliament to support the next European and World Games for athletes who participate in Special Olympics,"

said Keith Wilcox, Chairman of Special Olympics GB in the Northern Region.

"The Northern region has many dedicated athletes who are training hard at present to represent their region at the Special Olympics National Summer Games in July at Leicester, and following these games they will be hoping for selection into the Special Olympics GB Team for the games in Warsaw in 2010 and Athens in 2011."

Special Olympics Great Britain was established in 1978 and has nearly 8,000 athletes who participate in 135 local sports programmes, and regional, national and international competitions. National Games are held every 4 years (Glasgow 2005, Leicester 2009) alternating between Summer World Games (Shanghai 2007 and Athens 2011) and Winter World Games (Boise Idaho 2009) and then European and International Games. 365 days of the year, Special Olympics provides sports training and athletic competition in 23 Olympic type sports for learning disabled children and adults from age 8 to 80 with an IQ of 75 or less.The global Special Olympics Movement got its start in 1968 with the First International Special Olympics Games in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

The concept began when Eunice Kennedy Shriver (President John F. Kennedy's sister) started a day camp for people with learning disabilities at her home in Maryland in 1962. She invited 35 learning disabled boys and girls to Camp Shriver to explore their capabilities in a variety of sports and physical activities. The movement grew beyond her home and today Special Olympics Movement has evolved world-wide to include 160 countries and 2.25 million athletes.

In 1988, Special Olympics was recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It is the only sports organisation authorised by the IOC to use the word 'Olympics' in its title.