Planning for the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2022 is officially underway as Kazan, Russia was announced as official host city of the Games. Despite social distancing restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, enthusiasm about the announcement was shared virtually.
Nyasha Derera, Special Olympics International Board Member and athlete leader revealed Kazan would be the next winter Games location in an announcement video that accompanied this press release. Derera, an athlete from Special Olympics Zimbabwe, also serves as a Sargent Shriver Global Messenger and is Chair of the Global Athlete Congress. The exciting news was received by Tatiana Baranova, athlete leader from Special Olympics Russia. An experienced athlete, Tatiana won medals for snowshoeing at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Austria 2017 and in athletics at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.
Derera and Baranova were joined in the announcement video by Special Olympics CEO Mary Davis, Special Olympics Chairman Dr. Timothy Shriver and Special Olympics Russia President Olga Slutsker.
From 22 – 28 January, 2022, Kazan will host 2,000 athletes from 108 nations along with 3,000 volunteers. Athletes will compete in seven sports: alpine skiing, cross country skiing, figure skating, floorball, short track speed skating, snowboarding and snowshoeing.
Kazan is largely considered the sports capital of Russia having hosted a number of premiere, international sporting events. It will serve as the launching pad for Special Olympics Russia’s vision to expand inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities throughout the country, the region, and the world.
For more information, visit https://sokazan2022.com/
