Crans-Montana To Host Special Olympics Great Britain 2020
February 2-7, 2020; Crans-Montana plays host to Special Olympics Great Britain’s National Alpine skiing event, a non-elite sporting event for athletes who have intellectual disabilities.
Taking place during February 2020, Crans-Montana will provide a spectacular back-drop to the Special Olympics GB National Alpine skiing competition which includes Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G disciplines all held on the Piste National just above Crans-Montana.
In the UK there are around 1.5m people with an intellectual disability - a significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information, to learn new skills, and with a reduced ability to cope independently which affects someone for their whole life.
People with an intellectual disability are more likely to be socially isolated, with one in three people with an intellectual disability spending less than one hour outside of their homes on a typical Saturday. They are nearly twice as likely to be inactive; almost half (43%) of adults with an intellectual disability are inactive compared to the national average of 25%. Participating in sport is a great way to break down these social barriers while increasing the health and confidence of people with an intellectual disability.
Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) is a non-profit organisation and the largest provider of year-round, sports coaching and athletic competition in summer and winter sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. There is currently more than 120 all ability, inclusive sports competitions covering 28 sports across England, Scotland and Wales providing approximately 27,000 regular hour-long sporting sessions per year, all delivered by a team of more than 3,700 dedicated volunteers.
The Special Olympics GB National Alpine Skiing event takes place every four years.
Michelle Carney, CEO Special Olympics GB said: “We are so looking forward to being in Crans-Montana for a brilliant week of alpine sport. It's sure to be an amazing event and experience for everyone involved. During the week everyone including families and volunteers will be part of the unique Special Olympics GB community and witness the joy of seeing our athletes compete and the jubilation as they stand on the podium to receive their medals. The Opening Ceremony will be emotional as our athletes parade proudly Region by Region and take their oath for the week; ‘Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt’. The week is rounded off with the Closing Ceremony celebrations which everyone takes part in.”
Bruno Huggler from Crans-Montana said: “We’re delighted to be hosting this incredible event, with Special Olympics GB here in Crans-Montana. The resort is an ideal location for the athletes as they have all the facilities they need, plus world class competition slopes that regularly host the very highest level of ski racing. We are looking forward to having the athletes, their families and the whole Special Olympics GB organisation here in what I’m sure will be a fantastic event”.
