2014 Special Olympics European Summer Games Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium Opens 2014 Special Olympics European Games Game On!
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September 14, 2014. PRESS RELEASE Opening Ceremony : 2014 Special Olympics European Summer Games Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium opens 2014 Special Olympics European Games Game On! BRUSSELS - Sept 14th 2014: A spectacular Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Special Olympics European Summer Games took place at the Heizel in Brussels Expo. Declaring the Games officially open Her MaJesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium proudly welcomed 2,000 athletes and their families and supporters and 1,000 coaches from across 58 countries to Belgium. The Ceremony was live streamed by Belgium’s national broadcaster and it was also available to watch live on the official Games website www.so2014.com. Images from the Opening Ceremony can be downloaded here and video highlights of the Opening Ceremony are available here Guests included Prime Minister of Belgium Elio Di Rupo, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, former President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge, international supermodel and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova, tennis legend Justine Henin and Serbian Olympic Volleyball Champion Vladimir ‘VanJa’ Grbic as well as Members of the European Parliament, Diplomatic Ambassadors and Sponsors. Highlights of the ceremony included the Parade of Athletes and the lighting of the Cauldron by the Flame of Hope, which was carried into Heizel stadium in spectacular style after a Journey of 450kms by Torch bearers across Belgium. First day of competition is Sept 14th as 2,000 athletes start to compete in 10 sports: Athletics, Artistic Gymnastics, Badminton, Bocce, Judo, Table tennis, (Unified) Basketball, Soccer, Cycling and Swimming at 5 different locations in and around Antwerp. During the Games, the athletes will stay at the Olympic Village in de Kempense Meren in Mol where the Flame of Hope will stay burning. The Flame of Hope will also burn at the central location of Steenplein in Antwerp – home to the ‘Olympic Town’. We want to draw your attention to the fact that Special Olympics serves people with intellectual disabilities. Please do not confuse with Paralympics which serves people with a physical disability. About the 2014 Special Olympics European Summer Games In 1968, Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister to President John F Kennedy. Today this Movement serves 4.3 million athletes with intellectual disabilities in 170 countries and holds more than 70.000 competitions offering 33 Olympic sports annually. Every four years the World Summer and Winter Games are staged. This year, the 2014 Special Olympics European Summer Games take place in Antwerp from September 9 until September 20. During this period Belgium will welcome 2000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from 58 countries in the Europe Eurasia region including 1,000 coaches and more than 6,000 volunteers. During six days of competition, athletes will compete in 10 sports at five locations across Antwerp. Special Olympics Belgium has been active in Belgium since 1979 and organizes National Games annually. The 'Games of the Heart' aims to create a legacy in Belgium of inclusion and acceptance of people with an intellectual disability. For additional information: www.so2014.com twitter.com/SOBelgium www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympics.be @SpecOlympicsEU For all request with regard to images, interviews or accreditations, please contact: (do not publish) Wavemakers PR & Communications Amélie Putmans [email protected] +32 (0)477 20 09 70 Elke De Mayer [email protected] +32 (0)485 75 28 66 .