Untitled Document
 Pyeongchang
has just hosted the 11th Special Olympics World Winter Games. The
games included world-class competitions in alpine skiing, cross-country
skiing, figure skating, snowboarding and speedskating, among other
sports.
There were eight days of activities, starting from January 29 and
finishing on February 5, with a total of 55 different sporting events.
 Many
foreign dignitaries attended the
games to give their support to the 3,014 athletes who participated,
who all have various intellectual disabilities.
The games kicked off with great fanfare at an opening ceremony, called
“Dream Chorus” held at Yongpyong Dome, Pyeongchang. Myanmar’s democracy
leader and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi
attended the opening ceremony as a guest of honor.
Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yu-na was there as an honorary ambassador. Kim
walked on stage together with Suu Kyi and read a message of hope in
English to athletes and their family members. President Lee Myung-bak
and Special Olympics International Chairman Timothy Shriver jointly
declared the opening of the World Winter Games. After the speeches,
the opening ceremony concluded with a fairytale-like
gala show, reflecting the athletes’ dreams and challenges.
 The
Special Olympics are the world’s largest sporting event for people
over the age of 8 with intellectual disabilities. This year, some
11,000 people participated, including athletes, their coaches, family
members and volunteers.
It is a huge event and allows athletes to deliver their personal stories
of perserverance, dedication, and discipline. The event provides
them with the opportunity to be proud of themselves and see joy in
making an achievement of their own. Also, the event raises public
awareness of people with
intellectual disabilities.
As a nation we can be proud that Gangwon Province has managed to successfully
host the 11th Special Olympics World Winter Games. Next up is the
2018 Winter Olympics that are also scheduled to take place in Pyeongchang,
from February 9 to 25, 2018. Best of luck for our upcoming games! |
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