World Games Brochure - 15

SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES ARE MORE THAN
COMPETITION - EVERY WORLD GAMES INCLUDES
NUMEROUS EVENTS THAT ALLOW PARTICIPANTS
AND ATTENDEES TO BUILD UNDERSTANDING OF
THE CAPABILITIES AND PRIDE OF PEOPLE WITH
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES WHILE ENJOYING THE
SPECTACLE AND FUN OF A TRULY INTERNATIONAL
SPORTS FESTIVAL
The Opening and Closing Ceremonies are the
bookends of Special Olympics World Games and a
high point in the life of each participating athlete. The
Opening Ceremony sets the tone for the entire week and
provides a lasting impression to the athletes, spectators
and audiences worldwide, not only of the World Games
but of Special Olympics overall.
Special Olympics Town and Festival are the special
events hubs at the Games featuring interactive, theme
park-like areas with spectacular entertainment and
cultural activities for Special Olympics athletes, coaches,
families, and the general public to enjoy together.
The Host Town Program pairs each participating
national delegation with a town or community four
days prior to the Opening Ceremony, providing a true
national social inclusion legacy by enabling all citizens to
learn more about the different abilities and capabilities
of people with intellectual disabilities. Through a series
of sports, cultural and artistic events, the Host Town
experience provides Special Olympics athletes a chance
to acclimate and celebrate, spreading the message of
inclusion to all corners of the country.
Youth Leadership and Education Programs bring
lessons of inclusion to young people in schools
throughout the country as they welcome the world
and learn about new cultures. During the World Games,
the Youth Leadership Summit engages inspiring young
leaders with and without intellectual disabilities for a
series of youth-led activities and discussions around
issues of inclusion and changing attitudes.

Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg® starts at the
Ceremony for the Lighting of the Flame of Hope at the
Sacred Site of Pnyx in Athens (Greece), in the tradition
and custom of the Lighting of the Flame for all Olympic
Games. The Special Olympics Flame of Hope, carried by
Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers,
travels the globe spreading the message of "Hope" for a
better world, before entering the host city of the World
Games to mark the official opening of the World Games
at the Opening Ceremony.
Healthy Athletes® is a program specially designed to
improve the athletes' ability to train and compete in
Special Olympics, as well as in life, while leaving a legacy
of health justice in the host nation. Through volunteer
medical professionals providing participating athletes
with a variety of free health assessments, including
visual and dental screenings and physiotherapy, the
country improves the capacity of health delivery systems,
providers and policies to support the health of people
with intellectual disabilities.
Policy Events and Symposia bring scholars, policy
makers and researchers from around the world together
to present new findings and to discuss the challenges
and opportunities for full inclusion of people with
intellectual disabilities.
Arts and Cultural Programs play an important part in
changing attitudes and raising awareness by showcasing
the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities off the
playing field and in new ways. Leading up to and during
the Games, these programs engage and inspire the host
community, leaving a legacy of inclusion.

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World Games Brochure

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