Presence in the Region

Established in 1997 and with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia (SOEE) plays an active role in supporting Special Olympics National Programs in Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

SOEE provides year-round assistance to 58 Special Olympics National Programs so they become better known, better funded and successful in expanding sports opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

SOEE also has an advocacy role for European-level competitions and establishes European-level partnerships.

• Meet our Staff

Regional Structure

SOEE Regional Advisory Committees

Europe/Eurasia Advisory Committee (EEAC) Members

- Chair, Ms. Jo McDaid, Special Olympics Ireland
- Vice Chair, Ms. Anna Lina Vilhjalmsdottir
- Athlete Representative, Ms. Catriona Ryan, Special Olympics Ireland
- Ms. Galina Dzyurych, Special Olympics Belarus
- Mr. Boguslaw Galazka, Special Olympics Poland
- Mr. Melih Gürel, Special Olympics Turkey
- Ms. Alessandra Palazzotti, Special Olympics Italy
- Ms. Gulya Saidova, Special Olympics Uzbekistan

Competition and Training Advisory Committee (CTAC) Members

- Chair, Ms. Elaine Twomey, Special Olympics Ireland
- Vice Chair, Mr. Aldo Doninelli, Chair, Special Olympics Switzerland
- Mr. Andy Heffer, Special Olympics Great Britain
- Mr. Ljubomir Milicevic, Special Olympics Slovenia
- Ms. Margaret Strzalkowzska,Special Olympics Poland
- Mr. Sven Albrecht, Special Olympics Germany

Regional Sport Advisors

Summer Sports

- Aquatics, Ms. Maria Conroy, Special Olympics Ireland
- Athletics, Mr. Janusz Rozum, Special Olympics Poland
- Badminton, Mr. Jean-Marie Paduart, Special Olympics Belgium
- Basketball, Mr. Bernie Priestley, Special Olympics Ireland
- Unified Basketball^®, Mr. Michael Newton, Special Olympics Germany
- Bowling, Elaine Twomey, Special Olympics Ireland
- Bocce, Mr. Roy Savage, Special Olympics Ireland
- Canoeing-Kayaking, Ms. Roza Banasik-Zaranska, Special Olympics Poland
- Cycling, Giorgos Leondiou, Special Olympics Cyprus
- Equestrian, Ms. Jadwiga (Jagoda) Maciaszek, Special Olympics Poland
- Football and Unified^® Sports, Mr. Andre Peeters, Special Olympics Belgium
- Football, Ms. Beverley Hill, Consultant
- Golf, vacant
- Gymnastics, Ms. Marie Carroll, Special Olympics Ireland
- Judo, Mr. Tomas Runqvist, Special Olympics Sweden
- Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), Ms. Eleni Rossides, Special Olympics Cyprus
- Powerlifting, vacant
- Roller Skating, Mr. Sven Knupp, Special Olympics Germany
- Table Tennis, Ms. Elzbieta (Ela) Madejska, Special Olympics Poland
- Tennis, Mr. Daniel Sampayo, Special Olympics Italy
- Volleyball, Ms. Maija Nystrom, Special Olympics Finland

Winter Sports

- Alpine Skiing, Mr. Heinz Petanjek, Special Olympics Austria
- Floor Hockey, Mr. Heinrich Olsen, Special Olympics Austria
- Speed Skating, Ms. Ursula Jankowska, Special Olympics Poland
- Figure Skating, Ms. Elisabeth Sieber-Hubik, Special Olympics Austria