He laid down the gauntlet as Sport England announced an investment of £200,000 in this year’s Special Olympics GB National Summer Games
Thousands of athletes are expected to compete in the games, supported by over a thousand coaches and 2,000 volunteers. The event, which is open to children and adults with a learning disability, is being staged in Leicester from 25 to 31 July 2009.
Ted Cassidy MBE, chairman of Special Olympics Leicester, said:
“Sport England’s investment in sport for athletes with learning disabilities is great news.
“This support will help to raise the profile of the National Summer Games and, with athletes coming to Leicester from across Great Britain, will help us stage a world-class sporting event."
Sport England’s Chair, Richard Lewis, said:
“The games offer a great chance for over 2,700 athletes of all ages to realise their potential and experience the thrill of competing in a major sporting event.
“Progress is being made in opening up sporting opportunities, but there is a long way to go - particularly in driving participation amongst people with learning disabilities.
“Every sport, and all those involved in running sport, need to show the determination and ambition to ensure that everyone can benefit from sport’s power to transform lives.”
Athletes will compete in 21 sports, including some which are new to Special Olympics such as kayaking. The kayaking programme has been developed with the support of the British Canoe Union and will see athletes competing over 200m and 500m courses, either on their own or as a pair.
BCU Chief Executive, Paul Owen, said:
“The BCU is delighted to be involved in the 2009 Special Olympics. As an organisation, we are committed to the principles of equality and opportunity and aim to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in Paddlesport.
“Special Olympics has an admirable history of promoting the development of individuals with learning disabilities and we are looking forward to supporting our Paddlesport team, who will be competing in Special Olympics for the first time.”
For more information please see the Sports England website
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