A demonstration Game by Special Olympics Athletes on the WFC 2o12 Semi-final day was organised to inspire greatness & change attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities
The power of floorball to transform lives for people with intellectual disabilities will be witnessed at the 2012 Floorball World Championships on Saturday, December 8th. Special Olympics athletes will be given the opportunity to reveal their skills by competing in a demonstration floorball match during the 2nd intermission of the first Semi-final competitions in Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland. The match will start at 16.30 local time.
Special Olympics Floorball teams from Austria and Switzerland will compete against each other in what promised to be an exciting showdown.
– It was very important for the International Floorball Federation to include a Special Olympics demonstration match during one of the greatest floorball events of year. If “greatness” can be defined as overcoming obstacles with determination and heart, then there is sure to be even more displays of floorball greatness at this Special Olympics game, says Tomas Eriksson, IFF President.
The Special Olympics demonstration game taking place at the 2012 Floorball World Championship on December 8th is happening almost one year to the day Special Olympics and the International Floorball Federation signed a proclamation to promote more opportunities in floorball for people with intellectual disabilities.
– What a fantastic way to celebrate one year of partnership with a demonstration match at the biggest floorball event of the year. Working together, Special Olympics and the International Floorball Federation are using the power of floorball to create a world in which the largest disability population on earth lead healthy, vibrant lives grounded in sports, health and the determination to demonstrate their personal best to themselves and their communities, says Mary Davis, Regional President of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia.
The 2012 International Floorball World Championship will start in Bern on December 2nd with Slovakia playing hosts Switzerland in a sold-out opening match. The title of World Champion will be decided on Sunday, December 9th in Hallenstadion, Zurich.
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport by empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to 4 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and related programs.
Special Olympics takes place daily, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities all over the world. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.
Engage with Special Olympics on Twitter@specialolympics; Facebook; YouTube, and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com
For more SO information contact:
Suzanne Coogan, Head of Media & Public Relations Special Olympics Europe Eurasia scoogan@specialolympics.org
