Anastasia Balezdrova
"If it weren't for sports, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I was very angry before and sports was the arena that turned that around for me."
I have no money, but I have the love for the sport. My legs have run more miles than your cars. These words belong to Loretta Claiborne - the first Special Olympics athlete who became a member of the International Board of Directors of the games. She has been an athlete since 1968 and said she will not stop racing until she can.
Sport is very important for people with mental disabilities, "but to give the best of ourselves, we need your help," added the sincere and direct Loretta.
Today, the Special Olympics and the World Organization for Children Protection UNICEF signed a memorandum of cooperation to strengthen their efforts to overcome the legal, social and natural barriers that prevent children with disabilities to participate actively in society.
Representatives of major sports federations and the adviser of the UN Secretary General on the role of sports for development and peace Wilfred Lemke attended the ensuing press conference. He stated that this idea is still making its first steps and that only about 2-3 percent of the population of the planet know what the idea of Special Olympics is. In his opinion, organizing the games at national or even local level would greatly help to acquaint the public with the concept and objectives of the organization.
The President of the World Softball Federation Don Porter said that the most serious problem faced by federations is the supply of sports equipment in some countries due to technical or even religious barriers. He added, however, that sports federations would be able to solve this problem if they cooperate.
The Chairman of Special Olympics International Timothy Shriver said in conclusion that the athletes all around the world deserve to have good coaches and great expectations and that if we can not grant them, this would mean that we have failed.
The games, which were officially opened last Saturday, are underway. The Olympic complex in Athens revived again, seven years after the Olympics. Enthusiastic groups of coaches, athletes filled not only the stadiums but also the streets in Athens.
Even when they have no competitions, they can have fun in the tents of the festival complex provided by the organizers. Many of them are buying shirts and souvenirs with symbols of the games, and others are exchanging their new and old badges from past Special Olympics Games.
There is a special tent dedicated to the founder of the games Eunice Kennedy - Shriver and her husband Sargent. Tens of participants were interesting in the history of the games till today and expressed their gratitude to the creator of the idea of equal treatment of people with mental disabilities.
There is an olive tree at the centre of the improvised village and each participant can write a wish, an idea or just a greeting to the others in a card and hang it. A stage, a computer room, a room for games and entertainment, and outdoor volleyball playground attract the athletes with the different activities they offer.
Volunteers are an integral part of the Special Olympics. When I asked why she decided to help them Maria replied that the reason lies in the desire to help their peers with disabilities feel good in Greece and to help the cause.
"I am one of those romantics who want to contribute to presenting our country in the best possible way," told Argyro. "I have lived in Germany. I know English and I decided that I want to help. Moreover, only the sense of being part of the organization of international games is wonderful."
Argyro expressed his discontent that the people working in the public transport will go on strike the next two days. "They should not do it until the country is hosting this major sporting event. Some guests are worried about how they should move from their hotel to the sports facilities and back. Not to mention that some of them maybe can not afford to pay tens of euros for taxis."
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