ATHENS, GREECE – July 27, 2023 – “We are an example of how our differences make us stronger and with solid steps, we want the opportunity to reach our maximum potential for a better future, said Ariel Ary, Athlete and Global Messenger of Special Olympics in front of more than 16 of Latin America’s national program leaders that were present at the regional celebration as part of the Special Olympics World Summer Games, Athens 2011.
Timothy Shriver, President and CEO of Special Olympics International and Dennis Brueggemann; President and Regional Director of Special Olympics Latin America welcomed the audience and emphasized important points and topics within Latin America’s strategic planning movements and upcoming calendar events.
“We are launching a revolution, it’s a revolution of dignity. We are going to do it, we are going to lead by playing united all over the world” said Shriver. “Starting today I would like to invite all of you in a few years of what is to come and will be the greatest soccer event in the history of Special Olympics at a location to be determined in Latin America”, he continued.
Meanwhile Dennis Brueggemann reassured the importance of all the upcoming sporting events the region will host: 2nd Annual Copa America of Special Olympics which is celebrated in November of this year in Asuncion Paraguay. 2nd Annual Central American & Caribbean Special Olympic Games that will take place in Panama in April of 2012. To reconfirmtheirsupportandtopromote theparticipationof these important upcoming events were Paulo Reichardt; Minister of Sports in Paraguay and Yolanda Eleta; Member of the InternationalBoard of Directorsfor Special Olympics and President of Special Olympics Panama.
During the celebration Monica Sequeria, Vice Secretary of Sports in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in representation of Sergio Cabral; Governor of Rio de Janeiro presented his formal intention to bid for Rio de Janeiro to host in 2013 the 1st Unified World Cup in the history of Special Olympics. Governor Cabral pledged “the full support of our state and city governments to guarantee the success of this first Special Olympics Unified World Cup…Our commitment goes well beyond the event. It is my sincere wish to produce a long-lasting legacy not only for Rio and Brazil but for the Special Olympics movement.”1st Special Olympics World Unify Cup in the history of Special Olympics.
This bid was not only guaranteed by the government of Rio de Janeiro, but also by the presence and support of two global soccer legends and ambassadors for Special Olympics Latin America Romario y Zico.
“We are going to fight with all of our strength to assure that the Special Olympics Unified World Cup will become a reality in 2013. Now I am part of the Special Olympics family,” said Romario. “Unfortunately many people don’t have an idea of what Special Olympics represents in the life of a father, of a special person; of all the people that battle of an ideal simply for lack of respect and understanding that these people deserve special treatment and that there is nothing better in this world that I know of than the social inclusion of sports” he continued
To conclude the occasion all the soccer personalities and International Board Members of Special Olympics were presented the concept of the Special Olympics Captain’s Band by Hector Cueva; President of Special Olympics Ecuador. By having the national and club soccer teams wear this band, the strategy brings a level of International awareness and visibility of this organization. Each member was presented a captain’s band for their continued loyal support for the Special Olympics.
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