Special Olympics Leicester

The 8th Special Olympics GB National Summer Games will be held in Leicester between the 25th and 31st July 2009. Over 2,700 athletes representing 18 Special Olympics regions across the UK will visit the city of Leicester over the seven day period along with 1,200 coaches and 1,500 volunteers.

The 2,700 athletes will compete in 21 Olympic style competitions across the city & Rutland. Leicestershire County Cricket Club, Leicester City Football Club and Rutland Water are just some of the sporting venues confirmed to host the 2009 Games.

Leicester's landscape has changed dramatically since the city first hosted the Games in 1989. From the rich diversity of its population, to the magnificent ongoing 3 billion regeneration programme, Leicester is a city rising to the challenge on many fronts and between the 25th and 31st July 2009, the eyes of the UK will be firmly placed on the Special Olympics GB athletes as they compete in the National Summer Games.

The city of Leicester is looking to recruit 1,500 volunteers to participate in the Games next year. Should you wish to join the volunteer team at the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games in Leicester next year, please contact Lynn Senior, the Games Volunteering Director on Tel: [phone] or [e-mail] or log on to www.voluntaryactionleicester.org.uk for more details.

Companies wishing to obtain information about sponsorship opportunities linked to the event should contact First Rights Marketing on Tel: [phone] or by E-mail [e-mail]

A host of celebrities have already offered up their support to the Games next year including Martin Johnson, Gary Lineker, Engelbert Humperdinck (singer), Leicester Tigers, Leicester City FC and Leicestershire CCC.

• Special Olympics National Summer Games is part of Special Olympics GB. Special Olympics is a global organisation that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition to more than 2.25 million children and adults with learning disabilities across the globe. Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of the late President John F Kennedy in 1968, Special Olympics provides people with learning disabilities opportunities to realise their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship.

• Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB) is the major provider of sporting opportunities for people with a learning disability and provides equality of opportunity for all athletes regardless of ability or degree of disability.

• In February 1988, the IOC, the umbrella organization of the Olympic movement, officially recognised Special Olympics as the third Olympic movement alongside the Olympics and Paralympics.

• SOGB was established in 1978 as part of Special Olympics Inc. SOGB is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee and presently offer opportunities to more than 8000 children and adults with a learning disability and will work to expand opportunities to reach a further 10,000 individuals by 2010.

External links

* [http://www.sol2009.com/ Special Olympics Leicester Official Website]
* [http://www.sogb.org.uk/ Special Olympics Great Britain]
* [http://www.voluntaryactionleicester.org.uk/ Voluntary Action Leicester]