In their new partnership, Special Olympics and Russian Railways join forces to champion the integration of people with intellectual disabilities into society through sport. The Special Olympics World Winter Games 2022, with thousands of athletes, families, coaches and volunteers, will be the starting point for Russian Railways’ support of the movement!
President of Special Olympics Russia, Olga Slutsker, happily welcomed the news: “We’re happy to welcome Russian Railways as one of the partners of Special Olympics Games. The Kazan World Winter Games will be a unique event that will help us create comfortable conditions for people with intellectual disabilities. Together we’ll be able to build an open inclusive world uniting people with and without disabilities in a society of equal opportunities and respect.”
Maxim Lunev, Russian Railways Head of Public Relations responded: “Creation of comfortable conditions for each passenger is one of the main principles of our company. Partnership with Special Olympics movement will help emphasize the company's social mission and draw the public’s attention to people with disabilities”.
Special Olympics World Winter Games 2022 will take place in Kazan 21 – 27 January 2023. Thousands of athletes and Unified partners from all over the world are expected to compete in seven sports: alpine skiing, snowboarding, floorball, cross country skiing, figure skating, short track speed skating and snowshoeing.
In addition to the main competitions, the World Winter Games 2022 will include additional initiatives to promote inclusion. Using the platform of the Games, Special Olympics will seek to transform attitudes about intellectual disabilities in Russia, as well as create new opportunities for social integration and inclusion for the estimated three million people with intellectual disabilities living in Russia and other people with intellectual disabilities across the world.
Head over to the official website of the Special Olympics World Winter Games Kazan 2022 for more information.
