Martin Nielsen, a Special Olympics athlete from Denmark, spoke about his sports experience to European disability experts during a seminar organized by the Council of Europe and Danish Ministry of Social Affairs.
Held 13-14 December 2017 in Copenhagen, the seminar focused on raising awareness about people with disabilities in various sectors including sports. Nielsen, 24, who was joined by his mentor Mads Henriksen, said he became a Special Olympics athlete five years ago, competed in floorball and athletics, and is a medal winner at Special Olympics European and World Games.
However, Nielsen, who is an all-round sportsman, said his passion is running. He belongs to the oldest running club in Denmark and trains every day. Nielsen described how after attending a Special Olympics Health and Fitness workshop in Austria, he led a well-received football clinic and nutrition sessions for his peers at the sports school for persons with intellectual disabilities which he attends.