Austria will play host for the second time the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games, having hosted it in 1993.
Over 2700 Special Olympics athletes from 107 nations will compete in nine Olympic-type winter sports games.
Every two years, thousands of Special Olympics athletes worldwide come together to showcase their athletic skills and celebrate the spirit of Special Olympics, which holds over 50,000 competitions per year.
The first Special Olympics World Games took place in 1968 and since then has evolved into a world-class sporting event.
For South African’s the Special Olympics World Winter Games provide the platform for athletes with intellectual Disabilities to rise above the typical stereotype of daily exclusion. This by using sports as a catalyst to create opportunities for athletes to be defined by their abilities rather than their disabilities.
The team, comprising of 32 individuals such as athletes, coaches and support staff, will be hoping to replicate the incredible success of the 2015 National Team that returned victorious from the Summer World Games in LA with a phenomenal 61 medals.
A send off function by Special Olympics South Africa (SOSA) will be hosted at Midrand Conference Centre, north of Johannesburg on March 13 from 1pm.
It will be graced by politician, businessman and Special Olympics South Africa Chairperson Dr, Mathews Phosa, Deputy Minister of Sport, Gert Oousthuizen, Special Olympics Ambassadors, Letshego Zulu, Melanie Ramjee, Mark Fish, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Lil Red, Diamond Thopola, Rofhiwa Maemu, David Rees and Quinn Brown.
Good luck to our very special team!
