This is the motto under which the Bremer Special Olympics are being held in Bremen on 5th to 7th October 2011. Most of the events will take place on and around the University campus. Other venues for sporting events and supporting programs include the exhibition grounds, the Sankt Georg riding club, the Berufsbildungswerk, and the sports hall in Horn. This major sporting event is being organized by the local association “Special Olympics Bremen”, which is dedicated to promoting sporting activities for people with disabilities in the Federal State of Bremen.
“It’s the Game that Counts”
The games are held in the spirit of the Olympic idea. The approx. 1,200 athletes with mental and multiple disabilities who will be competing in the various disciplines have the chance to qualify for the national games which will take place in Munich in 2012. In as balanced ability groups as possible, the sportsmen and –women compete against each other in sporting disciplines like boccia, soccer, table tennis, light athletics, and horse riding. All those who participate will receive an award for their performance, the first three in each discipline receiving gold, silver, and bronze medals.
The games are supported by numerous Bremen sports clubs and private enterprises, including, for example, the Sparkasse Bremen, Airbus Bremen, and the Bremer Marketing Gesellschaft. The staging of the games would not have been possible without the voluntary work of several hundred helpers from Bremen sports and culture clubs, schools like the School Centers Blumenthal and Grenzstraße, and students of the University of Bremen. In addition, helpers have also arranged for a comprehensive program of supplementary events. For instance, students will provide an offer of sports for visitors attending the games: at 15 different stations on the campus, visitors will be able to try out the movement sequences involved in different types of sport, discovering in a playful way how to employ their motoric skills.
Program Overview:
Wednesday, 5th October: Opening ceremony at 19.00 hrs in Messehalle 7
Thursday, 6th October: Sports program from 9.00 till approx. 18.00 hrs on the campus; Offers of non-sporting events 10.00 till 18.00 hrs; Athletes Disco from 19.00 till 22.00 hrs in Messehalle 7.
Friday, 7th October: Sports program from 9.00 till approx.16.00 hrs on the campus; Offers of non-sporting events from 10.00 till 17.00 hrs; closing ceremony 17.00 hrs in one of the sports halls of the University.
Further information under www.so-bremen.de.
Further information:
Landesverband „Special Olympics Bremen“
Klaus-Peter Berg
Cell: 01520 899 1063
e-mail: kpberghbprotect me ?!nord-comprotect me ?!.net
