The Vietnamese contingent to the Special Olympics World Games at the HCM City's Tan Son Nhat Airport before leaving for Berlin, Germany. (Photo: VPSC) People with and withoutdisabilities, people of different nationalities, cultures, political andreligious views meet and are able to overcome existing prejudices with thepower of sport in Berlin from June 17-25.
About 7,000 athletes and unified partners from approximately190 countries and territories will compete in 26 sports thisyear. The competitors will be supported by more than 3,000 coaches and20,000 volunteers.
The Vietnamese contingent includes six athletes and three coaches.Nguyen Thi Anh Thu and Kieu Nguyen Danh Thai are representatives in athletics.Nguyen Chau Hoang Phuc and Do Thi Cam Ly will take part in boccia. NguyenNgoc Lan Anh and Nguyen Dinh Toan will compete in swimming.
Vietnam Airlines provided air tickets for the Vietnamese teamto attend this Olympics.
More than sports, the Games will also include over 120inclusive offers from the Berlin cultural sector. The official opening tookplace on June 10 at the Humboldt Forum.
Cultural institutions from all over Berlin join forces to offer anextraordinary programme that reflects the spirit of inclusion and diversitythat the Games stand for, till June 25.
The programme is an important part of the Special OlympicsFestival, which will also feature great events of music, shows and danceat the Neptunbrunnen; exhibitors, workshops, street food and activities inthe Sommergarten of Messe Berlin; and highlight events of varioussport try-outs, concert evenings and Fête de la Musique at theBrandenburger Tor.
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports movement for peoplewith intellectual disabilities, with more than 5 million athletes in 174countries, and is officially recognised by the International Olympics Committee.
The tournament takes place every two years and alternatebetween Summer and Winter Games, a schedule similar to the Olympics and Paralympics./.
VNA
