The awarding of the Empress Theophano Prize to Special Olympics and Chairman Dr. Timothy Shriver places focus on the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities and the need to build a more inclusive society.

Thessaloniki, 18 October 2024 - The 5^th Empress Theophano Prize, aiming to highlight those persons or organisations in Europe and beyond who embody European and universal values, is presented to Special Olympics and its Chairman, Dr. Timothy Shriver. The Award Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, 23 October 2024 in Thessaloniki, at the Rotunda monument, a symbol of multiculturalism, and will be attended by prominent figures from Europe and beyond, an event realised with the active participation of Special Olympics athletes.

Following the awards of previous years, which focused on education, science, the arts and humanitarianism, this year the Theophano Foundation highlights the social role of sports, through the vision of Special Olympics to create a world where everyone is accepted, celebrated and welcomed, regardless of abilities.

This year´s Theophano Foundation prize is the fifth such award. Previous winners included the EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme, the inventors of the life-saving COVID vaccine, Dr Uğur Şahin and Dr Özlem Türeci, the globally respected pianist and maestro Daniel Barenboim for his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, and the United Nations, represented by António Gutteres, UN Secretary-General, for its contribution to world peace and international cooperation.

Aiming to foster dialogue on important issues concerning the social integration and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities, the Theophano Foundation is organising a Round Table Discussion titled ‘Inclusive Sports: Driving Human and Social Development for a Changing Europe’ on Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 18:00 at Thessaloniki Concert Hall (Emilios Riadis Hall). This event is open to the public. To confirm your attendance, please register. Representatives from Special Olympics, including Chairman, Dr. Timothy Shriver, CEO Mary Davis, international athletes and people advocating for the community of persons with intellectual disabilities will contribute through their different perspectives on the topic. Participation of Special Olympics athletes and their families will highlight the core message of transformation through sport and the ways inclusion has strengthened families, communities, and nations alike.

Panellists include:

Keynote Speech: Mary Davis | CEO Special Olympics International

Participants

• Kiera Byland | Athlete & Board Member, Special Olympics International - Chair, Global Athlete Congress (Great Britain)
• Dr. Timothy Shriver | Chairman, Special Olympics International
• Dr. Jacqueline Jodl | Chief, Global Youth & Education, Special Olympics International
• Gilmour Borg | Special Olympics Malta & Global Athlete Leader (Malta)
• Dionysios Kodellas Ambassador ad.h. | President, Special Olympics Hellas (Greece)
• Klelia Pantazi | Olympic Medalist, Rhythmic Gymnastics & Special Olympics International Judge (Greece)

Conclusions
Herman Count Van Rompuy | Chairman of the Advisory Council, Theophano Foundation - President Emeritus of the European Council - Minister of State of Belgium (Belgium).

Finally, a symbolic race, a ‘Path of Inclusion’, will also be held as part of this year's award ceremony. On Thursday, 24 October at 10:30 am, a 1km Unified® Run will take place at the New Waterfront of Thessaloniki. The Unified Run will be attended by athletes of training programmes from the wider Thessaloniki area, coaches, family members of Special Olympics Hellas athletes, students of Inclusive Sports Schools, associates and friends of Special Olympics.

The Awards Ceremony will be broadcast live via ERT3's analogue and digital channels (in Greek) and via the official website www.theophano.eu and the social media of the Theophano Foundation (in English). The presenter of the Award Ceremony will be Alexis Papachelas, journalist and director of ‘Kathimerini’ newspaper.