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81 Our involvement | DANIR 2024
S PECIAL OLYMPI C S S VERI G E
For a more active
and healthier life.
Special Olympics Sweden is part of the Swedish able networks and partnerships. As an example, this
Parasports Federation, offering recreational and year we organised a national conference on sports
grassroots sports for individuals with intellectual and health for individuals with intellectual disabilities
disabilities. Our goal is to provide everyone, regard- for the first time, with the aim of influencing policy
less of ability, the chance to lead an active life. To to secure targeted resources.
achieve this, we organise regional, national, and
international sports events. Additionally, we advoca- “ Our goal is to provide everyone,
te for the benefits of inclusion and support sports regardless of ability, the chance
clubs with both knowledge and the tools they need to lead an active life.”
to develop their programmes for these athletes. In
Sweden, there are over 10,000 Special Olympics
athletes.
DRIVING DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS THE YEAR IN BRIEF
LASTING CHANGE This year has been eventful. We launched two new
Entrepreneurship and long-term commitment are networks, released a children’s book, and saw one of
central to our mission. The former is crucial for dri- our athletes, bowler Lisa Nordström Green, featured
ving progress to meet current needs, while the latter on Expressen’s 2024 Top 100 Women of the Year list.
ensures that the changes we achieve are sustainable.
We kicked off the year with the Special Olympics
This year, we launched our Family Programme, Winter Games in Östersund, where over 150 partici-
aimed at parents and relatives of children with intel- pants competed in three sports. Of these athletes, 25
lectual disabilities. It has created a meeting place for have been selected to represent Sweden at the Special
families where sports are introduced as a fun, shared Olympics World Winter Games in Turin next year.
activity. We know that family involvement is essen-
tial for children, youth, and adults with intellectual When we launched the Family Programme, we orga-
disabilities to discover the joy of sports. nised two family camps, where families could meet,
engage in sports together, and share experiences.
In our long-term efforts, strong partnerships are
key. New sponsors have come on board, and existing We continue with our School Days, which are very
agreements have been extended, enabling continued popular and there is great interest shown in these
successful operations. The ongoing support of Sigma sports days. This year, even more students from
Group as our main sponsor is particularly important special education schools had the opportunity to try
for our future development. By continuing to invite different sports with local sports clubs.
businesses, the sports movement, municipalities,
politicians, and civil society to events, we build valu- WEB
specialolympics.se
