From 22 to 28 January 2022, 2,000 athletes and Unified partners from over 100 nations will gather in Kazan to compete in alpine skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, floorball, cross-country skiing, figure skating, and short track speedskating. They will be joined by 3,000 volunteers from across the world in the historic city of Kazan, long considered the sports capital of Russia.
World Winter Games Kazan Athlete Ambassador Tatiana Baranova is extending a warm welcome to journalists from around world. Tatiana, an experienced athlete with medals for snowshoeing at the World Winter Games Austria 2017 and for athletics at the World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, notes, “Special Olympics World Winter Games 2022 in Kazan will unite thousands of athletes from over 100 different countries all over the world. I is important to talk about the Games and its participants as much as possible. That is why I would like to invite Russian and foreign journalists to visit Kazan next year and take part in one of the most important sport events for people with intellectual disabilities. Together we can overcome our differences and create an inclusive world of respect and unity. I know for sure that all guests, athletes, their families and coaches will love Russia and want to tell everyone about their experience here. Welcome to Kazan!”
Olga Sloutsker, President of Special Olympics Russia, echoes Tatiana’s sentiments, emphasising the need for connection and live sports following year of restrictions. She says, “Special Olympics Russia welcomes the opening of the media registration as an invitation to the world to cover the most important story in sports—the athletes of Special Olympics and the 2022 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Kazan, Russia. The current pandemic has created such distance between people around the world. We invite journalists to witness how the athletes of Special Olympics will unite the world through sport at a time when we need it most. Come to see the unique contributions, talents and gifts of athletes with intellectual disabilities as part of this historic event in Russia’s sports capital.”
David S. Evangelista, President and Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Region, recalls the huge media impact of World Winter Games in Austria in 2017—those Games reached broadcast audiences in 190 countries and territories and resulted in over 209 million traditional media impressions. Special Olympics once more warmly welcomes our friends in the media to the region to tell the story of our Games. David notes, “Special Olympics is excited to open media registration to the world as part of the upcoming 2022 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Kazan, Russia. Journalists from around the world have a unique opportunity to share one of the most powerful stories of resilience and courage in Kazan at a time when the world is hungry for inspiration. The media world need not look further than the athletes of Special Olympics and their journey to the 2022 Special Olympics World Winter Games.”
Media are invited to sign up for World Winter Games Kazan 2022.
