The very first edition of the "Together without Limits" inclusive sports day was organised by the Special Olympics Luxembourg in partnership with APEMH, Info Handicap, Autism Luxembourg and Elisabeth Handicap. It was also supported by several sports federations and clubs, including the Luxembourg Judo, Karate and Table Tennis Federation, the Curling Club Luxembourg, the Moselle Archers and the Gymnastique Réveil Bettembourg.
The programme on offer was wide-ranging, comprising 19 workshops looked after by 70 volunteers. The Special Olympics does not chase headline performances. People with and without disabilities were able to take part together and collect stamps along the way, eventually earning themselves a medal.
Special Olympics athlete Laura Galasso said she found it really cool and very nice. She added that she knew a few of the people working at the event, such as her teacher Jill during preschool, and that it was great to be there with colleagues from work who had also come along.
The Special Olympics' "Unified Sports" teams promote social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences, joining people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. Support staff matter, too, in order for athletes to achieve the goals they have set out for themselves.
Simone Haan, national technical director of the Special Olympics Luxembourg, said the situation was much the same as elsewhere. Haan says it is relatively easy to find people who can lend a hand for an afternoon like this one, she said, but the real challenge is finding people who are willing to commit longer term, for instance by helping to run regular training sessions.
Saturday's event offered an interesting blend. Disciplines on the Special Olympics calendar throughout the year were on display, alongside activities that were new for the athletes. Everyone was invited to join in.
Asked what role the public authorities played, Family Affairs Minister Max Hahn said politics had to accompany and support such initiatives, whether through funding or by drawing on the networks that have agreements with the ministries, of which several were represented at the event. He said the aim was to encourage those organisations to get involved in this area, and in the day centres run by the ministry, to bring sport closer and show everything that is on offer.
Families play a major role in the lives of athletes with disabilities, alongside the sponsors. In the coming weeks, the Special Olympics organisers will see at their regular training sessions whether this first edition has succeeded in drawing in many new athletes.
