Page 35 - BBHAC Winter 2015-16 Gazette
P. 35
Feature 33
– truly the Feel-good Games
the Special Olympics are gold, silver and bronze What are its benefits?
organisation is recognised by medals in each division
the International Olympic meaning that many more Special Olympics
Committee, but, unlike the medal winning opportunities programmes are available
same Paralympic Games, are available. for athletes free of charge.
Special Olympics World More than 5.3 million
Games are not held in Skiing is a classic example of athletes and Unified Sports
conjunction with the Olympic this need for selection and partners are involved in
Games. However as with the grading since there being Special Olympics sports
main Olympic movement, relatively few Sport and training and competition in
there is a Summer Games and Fitness opportunities for approximately 170 countries.
also a Winter Games. The last those of a certain disability The organisation offers
Winter Games was in South and, almost perversely, year-round training and
Korea in 2013 and the next skiing is one of the few. As competition in 32 Olympic-
one will be in Austria in 2017. an example, a competent style summer and winter
skier who will never be very sports.
Who qualifies? quick and will never be
ultra competitive is graded
Selection is not necessarily as a middling intermediate
based on elitism which makes and competes with others
the Special Olympics very similarly graded. Up to
different. Competitors are intermediate and then
graded according to ability advanced skiers. It is not
and then compete within solely about being the best
divisions. Each division might but being a good ambassador
have somewhere between 5 for your Country.
and 8 competitors and there
