Special Olympics European Youth Games, Rome, 2006
Against all obstacles, above all expectations
It’saround midnight in Boryspil International Airport.RomeKyiv flight landed 40 minutes ago and group of 35 people has just passed through passport control. Some look tired, but none either looks or feels sad. Though there are no lovefans to meet them they walk with
their heads up, their eyes sparkling with happiness and their faces graced with smiles. This is the national team of Special Olympics
Ukraine that has just come back from Special Olympics European Youth Games 2006. They’ve come back bringing 28 medals. They have gained these awards for themselves and for their country against all obstacles and, doubtlessly, have exceeded all expectations.
The Games
Special Olympics European Youth Games took place in Rome on 30 th September 5 th October, 2006. 1,400 athletes with intellectual disabilities, 400 coaches, 3000 family members and around 800 honourable guests from 57 countries of Europe/Eurasia region took part in this event. Around 300 journalists reflected the Games, as well as preceding and following events, in Italian and international media.
The events
The event had started with Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics in which Ukraine was represented by Mr Mykhailo Akilov, Colonel of Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Another preGames event Host Town programme was held in the Lazio Region (September 2829) where delegations were welcomed into local communities and greeted by local authorities. The spectacular opening ceremony of the Games took place at Stadio dei Marmuri – ancient stadium surrounded by the marble statues of gods of Rome. It was attended by SOI Chairman Timothy Shriver, Italian Minister of Youth Policies and Sport Activities, Minister of Family Policies, President of Lazio region, Mayor of Rome, President of Italian Olympic Committee, numerous ambassadors and many other dignities. Sports events started on 30th September and for the following 6 days Special Olympics athletes had been competing in seven sports: aquatics (swimming), athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, gymnastics and Unified Football® where players with and without disabilities play in the same team. Other components of the Youth Games were European Symposium on the inclusion of young people with disabilities through sports, Youth Summit, Family Forum and Healthy Athletes® health screenings.
A very special occasion…
A very special occasion happened on the 4th October when participants of the Games were invited to attend the Pope's morning mess that took place on the St Peters square in Vatican. Despite light rain the square was full of people and Special Olympics delegations where introduced by cardinals to the Pope Benedict XVI who had blessed the Games twice, in English and in Italian. After the mess the Pope personally greeted Special Olympians and was given a volunteer Tshirt. Despite threatening weather forecasts it had never rained again during the Games after the Pope’s blessing.
Special Olympics Ukraine
Ukraine was represented on the Games by 24 athletes who participated in 4 sports: aquatics, track and field, gymnastics and basketball. Though they all have already taken part in number of regional and national events of Special Olympics Ukraine (SOU), many of them have never been to Special Olympics international competitions before. However, guided and supported by their coaches, SOU staff as well as by hundreds of spectators our athletes overcame their fears and doubts and did their best. As a result Special Olympics Ukraine national team has won 7 gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals. Special Olympics Ukraine (SOU) has been active since 1994. For today about 10.500 Ukrainian athletes with intellectual disabilities are involved in SOU in 18 regions of Ukraine under the care of 350 specially trained coaches. SOU national teams have represented their nation at 16 international events and won over 170 medals. SOU has agreements with National Olympic Committee (NOC) and numerous national sports federations as well as support of outstanding Ukrainians such as leader of Okean Elzy rock band Svyatoslav Vakarchuk; Olympic Champion Lilia Podkopaeva; President of NOC, Olympic Champion Serhiy Bubka; Olympic Champion, President of BC “Kyiv” Alexander Volkov and many others.
Support
However, it wasn’t such promising from the very beginning. Ukrainian team was the only one at the Games that had absolutely no support from the national government. Even those from postsoviet countries are supported by their states at least for participating in international events. In fact, Ukrainian team managed to take part in Rome Games only thanks to generous donation made by SOU board member and Ukrainian rock ’n’ roll celebrity Svyatoslav Vakarchuk; and with support of Kievrianta Ltd. (Kyiv Duty Free), which was one of the main sponsors of SOU Summer National Games 2006. “I couldn’t simply stand aside of the problem, I’m a board member at the end of the day” Sava says, and continues “I see nothing special in what I’ve done, really, but I do hope that my example will be followed by others, firstly by our state of course, but especially by many of those who possess millions and don’t ever give a thing to the ones in need”.
