Toyota and Special Olympics Expand Partnership to Europe

• Toyota Motor Europe and Special Olympics announce new three-year partnership from 2020
• Toyota will combine with the world’s largest sports organisation for children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities to provide support for thousands of sport events across Europe and Eurasia
• Special Olympics athletes’ goal will be supported by Toyota’s ‘Start Your Impossible’ actions

Brussels, Belgium – 22^nd November, 2019: Toyota Motor Europe and Special Olympics Europe Eurasia have announced a three-year partnership, starting in 2020, to support Special Olympics grass-roots inclusive programming and sporting events across the region.

Special Olympics is a global movement for inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Its aim is to create inclusive communities around the world, where every person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability. With over six million athletes and Unified partners across over 190 countries, the organisation is supported by over one million coaches and volunteers. In Europe Eurasia, it covers 58 countries and has over 500,000 participating athletes.

“Our partnership with Special Olympics represents an opportunity to extend the Start Your Impossible story which we have already begun with the Olympics and Paralympics movements. Toyota believes that mobility goes beyond cars; it is about overcoming challenges and making dreams come true. In this spirit our mission to provide freedom of movement for everyone is consistent with Special Olympics own goals of creating a society based on inclusion and community. On a practical level, our employees and the dealer network are invited to volunteer and support the athletes across the region, and I am proud that this has already started.” Dr Johan van Zyl, President & CEO of Toyota Motor Europe

“Special Olympics is honoured to sign this milestone agreement with Toyota Motor Europe to deepen our impact on inclusion through sport. Together, we will amplify the voices of Special Olympics athletes to highlight the urgency of social inclusion worldwide. This partnership will increase access to Unified Sports, opening the door for more children and adults of all abilities to experience the inclusive power of sport, and the unity it creates both on and off the field of play. We look forward to closely collaborating with Toyota Motor Europe to expand this transformative partnership already underway in Japan and the United States. We extend our deep gratitude to the Toyota family and look forward to the exciting future ahead,” said David Evangelista, President & Managing Director, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia

For pictures, please visit: http://newsroom.toyota.eu/

Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA (TME) oversees the wholesale sales and marketing of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, parts and accessories, and Toyota’s European manufacturing and engineering operations. Toyota directly employs around 20,000 people in Europe and has invested over EUR 9 billion since 1990. Toyota’s operations in Europe are supported by a network of 29 National Marketing and Sales Companies across 53 countries, a total of around 3,000 sales outlets, and nine manufacturing plants. In 2018, Toyota sold 1,035,430 Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Europe. For more information, visit www.toyota-europe.com

Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement using sport, health, education and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1968, and celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 6 million athletes and Unified Sports partners in over 190 countries. With the support of more than 1 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic-type sports and over 100,000 games and competitions throughout the year. Special Olympics is supported by individuals, foundations and partners, including Bank of America, the Christmas Records Trust, The Coca-Cola Company, ESPN, Essilor Vision Foundation, the Golisano Foundation, IKEA Foundation, the Lane Family, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, Lions Clubs International, Safilo Group, Stavros Niarchos Foundation, TOYOTA, United Airlines, and The Walt Disney Company. Click here for a full list of partners. Engage with us on: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and our blog on Medium. Learn more at www.SpecialOlympics.org.