Unified Weekend in GERMANY

The 2-nd European Unified Volleyball Tournament (10-14 June 2009) was a fine example of great Special Olympics management and of integration of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The Tournament was held in Wilhemsdorf, Germany, a role-model in local community integration.  Most citizens are in some way connected to the Center for Persons with Intellectual Disability and the Deaf, and the event received a warm welcome from the entire community.  

Twelve teams from nine Special Olympics Programs in Europe/Eurasia (Austria, Finland, Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Greece, Germany) and one from Lebanon attended the second Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia Unified Volleyball Tournament in Wilhemsdorf, Germany.  Each delegation was assigned a team of local youth fans who had produced banners for the occasion and cheered teams during the Tournament. Special Olympics volleyball players and their fans became a friends and exchanged contact information after the event.  The tournament also included leisure activities in which actors with intellectual disability played a part. 

Honored guests including Elisabeth Jeggle, member of European Parliament, Andreas Schockenhoff and Martin Gerster, members of German Parliament as well as Norbert Zeller, member of Baden Wurttenberg Parliament attended the Tournament.

Photo: Competition during the 2009 Special Olympics European Unified Volleyball Tournament. (Photographer Luca Siermann, Special Olympics Germany)