The Special Olympic World Winter Games are currrently cancelled. It has been one set back after another for the postponed 2022 Special Olympic World Winter Games. First the games were moved from 2022 to 2023 because of the Covid-19 pandemic (read the official press release here) and now the games due to to be held in 2023 have been cancelled altogether (read the offical press release here).
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You may well ask ‘What’s the Special Olympics World Winter Games?’ or ‘where is Kazan?’. The answer to the first is, it’s a very big deal, and to the second question……Russia. Team GB have been chosen for what may well be the most exciting moment of their lives so far, Kazan 2022 awaits. Here is why the The Special Olympic World Winter Games is such a big deal.
How many people are in Team GB?
Well, there are 27 in total, that includes 17 athletes competing in alpine skiing and figure skating. There are seven figure skaters representing Great Britain.
Michelle Carney, CEO of Special Olympics GB said: “I’m absolutely delighted for all our amazing athletes who have been selected to compete at the Special Olympics Winter Games in Kazan in 2022. To represent your country in any sport is a remarkable achievement. To represent your country as an athlete with an intellectual disability adds a whole other level of respect. I know our athletes will make Great Britain proud and we are looking forward to sharing their amazing stories in the build up to the Games moving forward.”
What about the other countries competing?
It’s a big deal, this really is a global competition, infact 108 nations will be competing at the games. Along with the athletes, there will be 3000 volunteers and 4000 dignitaries and family members.
How did the athletes qualify for the games?
Well there is a selection process for the Special Olympic World Winter Games. First athletes have to prove themselves at a local level, then regional and finally at national selection.
Alex Williams, Special Olympics GB’s Head of Delegation for the Special Olympics World Winter Games, 2022 said: “Following a difficult selection process we are thrilled to be able to announce our team to represent Great Britain in Kazan in 2022. Congratulations to all our athletes who have been selected to compete and commiserations to those who did not get chosen this time. We just wish we could have taken everyone who applied! Now the hard work begins, and we are looking forward to getting to know each other and getting ready for the most amazing opportunity of representing Great Britain on such a world stage.”
Who are the figure skaters representing Great Britain in the Special Olympics World Winter Games?
The athletes representing Great Britain in the games will be:
- Stephanie Gott from Merseyside
- Pamela Richardson-Delaney – Merseyside
- Jonathan Higgins from Scotland West
- Jennifer Gibson from Scotland West
- Courtney Montgomery from Scotland West
- Callum Mills from the East Midlands
- Jennifer Lee from Bradford
What are the Special Olympics World Winter Games?
The Special Olympics was founded in 1968 based on the principle of ending descrimination against people with intellectual disabilities through the medium of sport. The Special Olympics World Winter Games is the pinnacle of the winter sports calendar.
The Special Olympics Great Britain describe it as:
“The Special Olympics World Winter Games are among the world’s most prestigious sporting events, uniquely focused on advancing a truly inclusive world for people with intellectual disabilities. World Games also provide a prominent platform for the movement’s work in health, education, and leadership for athletes.”
What sports are represented at the Special Olympics World Winter Games?
There are seven sports represented at the Special Olympics World Winter Games, they are:
Alpine Skiing
Snowboarding
Floorball
Cross-country skiing
Figure skating
Short track speed skating
Snow shoeing
Why are the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Kazan?
In a press release from Special Olympics Great Britain:
‘The selection of Kazan by the Special Olympics International Board of Directors was made based on the city’s proven reputation for hosting large international sporting events, support from local, state, and national governments of Russia, and a strong legacy vision to use the power of sport to establish thriving, inclusive communities by transforming attitudes and behaviors throughout Russia, and the world.
“Hosting the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2022 adds Kazan to an elite group of international cities leading the inclusion charge for people with intellectual disabilities,” said Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics. “The global Special Olympics movement has confidence in Kazan’s ability to host a world-class Games that deliver a lasting impact. Congratulations to Kazan!”
Using the platform of the Games, Special Olympics will seek to transform attitudes about intellectual disabilities in Russia, as well as create new opportunities for social integration for the estimated three million people with intellectual disabilities living in Russia.’
‘Regarded as Russia’s capital of sports, Kazan is an exciting new destination for Special Olympics. The Special Olympics World Winter Games Kazan 2022 will mark the first time the organization has brought a global competition to Russia. No stranger to major sports events, Kazan has played host an array of top sports competitions, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup, 2015 FINA World Championships and the 27th Summer Universiade.’
More about Special Olympics Great Britain (GB)
Special Olympics Great Britain is a not-for-profit organisation that provides coaching, activities and competitions year round for all abilities with intellectual disabilities.
They are involved with 28 sports and provide around 27000 hours of sporting sessions annually. The organisation has over 4000 volunteers and 10000 athletes. In 2019 Special Olympics GB offered 165 all ability, inclusive sports events.
Special Olympics GB helps people to not only take part in sport, but also to increase confidence, well-being, fitness and also meet some great people and make friends.
To find out more about Special Olympics Great Britain, visit the website here.
Special Olympics Internationally
Special Olympics is a global organisation. There are over 200 million people globally with an intellectual disability, and the goal of the Special Olympics is to reach out to each one of them.
The Special Olympics brings people together and helps people reach their true potential, they really are changing the world through sport. To find out more, visit the Special Olympics website here.
