The Special Olympics Winter World Games in Turin are approaching, but while waiting for the opening ceremony that will take place on 8th March, the 25th of February was a very important day.
In fact, the Special Olympics Community Run took place simultaneously throughout Italy.
20 cities, 1000 runners, half of whom were Special Olympics athletes, carried the Olympic flame through the various cities, involving schools, associations and volunteers to send a very strong message of awareness and inclusion throughout the country.
It was even more special in Venice, where the Olympic Torch is traditionally escorted by the police. In fact, the torch was carried from the Venice Police Headquarters, where the police and local police runners met with the special athletes and volunteers of the Venice Marathon to welcome the arrival of the lantern and watch the Prefect light the torch. From here the procession started, escorted as always, and carried the fire of Olympia to the Campo della Salute. Here, in front of the stage where the authorities were seated, the Olympic brazier was lit and, with the blessing of the Patriarch, the torch was returned to the police headquarters by water, as tradition dictates.
On the stage of authorities, representing Panathlon, was the President of Panathlon International, Giorgio Chinellato. The President of the Panathlon Club Venice, Diego Vecchiato, and the past president, Giuseppe Zambon were also present.
President Giorgio Chinellato's presence was important and greatly desired and testifies to his sensitivity towards the world of Paralympic sport. It's a feeling that was born the first time he had to deal with special athletes in the pool, when in the water these extraordinary people find their magnificent dimension and move with ease. And it's a bond shared with his friend and panathlete Elisabetta Pusiol, Director of the Veneto Region of Special Olympics Italy, who was also present in the front row at the event.
The friendship is long-standing, and their shared passion for the world of Paralympic movement has constantly strengthened it, offering them many magnificent moments in which the athletes have been able to pass on valuable lessons and truly extraordinary emotions.
It is certainly no coincidence that the President wanted to keep the delegation for Paralympic sport for himself. "I have always been close to the extraordinary world of Paralympic athletes, magnificent people. Elisabetta Pusiol, Director for the Veneto region of Special Olympics, and I have been friends since our school days, and over time we have shared many occasions when we have worked for special athletes, all very exciting. Among many other episodes, I fondly remember an improvised fundraising to enable our Italian team to fly to the World Championships in Mexico in 2004, and a magnificent parade in Venice with athletes from all over the world parading in front of the stage in Piazza San Marco, with the banner of the Panathlon Club of Venice-Mestre bringing the procession to a close. Working with Paralympic athletes is wonderful, and what we receive in return for our work, what we learn from them, is priceless to say the least."
So, let's all get ready to support the Italians at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, which will certainly be a magnificent event.
The road to give the right visibility to the extraordinary people who train hard every day and give their all in the competitions they take part in is still long, but Panathlon is at their side and at the forefront of this noble battle, whose work and values it fully shares.
You can follow all the events of Special Olympics Italy on the website of the association or on its Facebook page.
by Mario Boranga
Communication delegate Panathlon Club Pordenone
