A few minutes ago the fourth day of the XXXVII Special Olympics National Summer Games in Turin 2022 ended: a real sports party was staged on all the competition fields and at the PalaVela Olympic Village, with 3 thousand athletes with and without intellectual disabilities and the whole community involved in the event to underline once again the values ​​of inclusion, sharing and fraternity founding in the movement created in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in the United States.

The protagonists of the games are “back on the field” in the disciplines of athletics, basketball, bowling, bowls, 5-a-side football, rowing, horse riding, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, golf, karate, swimming, volleyball, rugby, tennis and table tennis; the competitions in rhythmic gymnastics, golf, karate and rugby ended today. The Health Programs initiatives also continued at the Special Olympics Village, with free screening for all athletes thanks to the collaboration of 150 volunteer medical specialists: among these Opening Eyes (optometric screening), Special Smiles (dental screening), Fit Feet (podiatry screening) ) and Health Promotion (nutrition and prevention). From 10 to 12 the demonstration of the YAP – Young Athletes Program took place, with motor play activities for children with and without intellectual disabilities in view of a future entry into the Special Olympics panorama from the age of 8. The Program provides an introduction to basic motor skills such as running, kicking and throwing through playful activities with the aim of promoting social inclusion by extending the benefits to families and the community as well. Furthermore, after the message of peace launched on the occasion of the Opening Ceremony, a group of Ukrainian families were guests of the Village.

Testifying the achievements of the Special Olympics athletes is also the story of Francesca Sedani, volleyball player of Passeportout Valsesia: “I practiced swimming – she says – since I was a child, while I met volleyball at school: doing sports allows me to be in company, do not get bored and keep busy, since I started I have improved my self-esteem because I really like being with my mates and comparing myself with them. My dream is to continue like this: after my debut at the Play the Games in Biella in October 2021, I would also like to participate in the World Cup, but the Nationals are still a good starting point and I’m really happy to take home some medals”. The progress made thanks to sport is also witnessed by Francesca Vinzio, President and Head of Delegation of the association: “Since she started with us – she explains – last September she had a crazy evolution, going from total inactivity to doing 2 workouts a week of swimming and 1 week of volleyball. Thanks to the progress made with sport, Francesca was also included in a job placement project that could soon lead her to obtain a company contract, given the excellent skills demonstrated: the useful features here also helped her in obtaining the diploma, at work and in private life “.

Tomorrow, Wednesday 8 June, in the morning includes athletics, basketball, bowling, bowling, 5-a-side football, rowing, horseback riding, artistic gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, tennis and table tennis. In the afternoon, however, it will continue with basketball, bowling, bowling, 5-a-side football, horse riding, artistic gymnastics, volleyball, tennis and table tennis.

Below, the details of the tenders and facilities:

• Athletics: Primo Nebiolo Stadium, Viale Luigi Huges 10 Turin
• Badminton: Pala Vela, Via Ventimiglia 145 Turin
• Bocce: Bocciofila Borgo Rossini, C.so Terenzio Mamiani 5 Turin / Bocciodromo Crescenzio Colletta, Lungo Dora P. Colletta 53 Turin
• Bowling: King Center, Via Monginevro 242 Turin
• Football: CUS Torino, Via Milano 63 Grugliasco
• Rowing: Esperia Rowing Club, C.so Moncalieri 2 Turin
• Indoor Rowing: Armida Rowing Club, Viale Virgilio 45 Turin
• Dragon Boat: Esperia Rowing Club, C.so Moncalieri 2 Turin
• Horse riding: Horsebridge Riding Club, Via Supeia Gallino 27 Nole
• Artistic Gymnastics: PalaGymnastics, Via Giacinto Pacchiotti 71 Turin
• Karate: Le Cupole Palace, Via E. Artom, 111 Turin
• Rhythmic Gymnastics: Palasport Moncrivello Eurogymnica, Via Moncrivello 8 Turin
• Golf: Royal Park I Roveri, Rotta Cerbiatta 24 Fiano
• Tennis: Sporting Press Club, C.so G. Agnelli 45 Turin – Gaidano Sports Facility, Via Modigliani 25 Turin
• Basketball: Sisport Sports Center, Via Olivero 40 Turin
• Volleyball: Pala Vela, Via Ventimiglia 145 Turin
• Swimming: Acquatica Turin, C.so Galileo Ferraris 290 Turin / Palazzo del Nuoto, Via Filadelfia 89 Turin
• Table Tennis: CUS Torino, Palazzetto di Grugliasco Via C.L.N. 53 Grugliasco
• Open Water Swimming: Avigliana Lakes, Via Monte Pirchiriano Avigliana
• Flag Rugby: CUS Turin, St. del Barocchio 27 Grugliasco

The complete program is available here

The images, with daily updates, are available here