With 1,200 contributors, 12 sports activities disciplines and illustration from seven nations, the Particular Olympics Denmark Idrætsfestival 2024 has set a brand new benchmark for athletic excellence. From Could 24 – 26, the picturesque city of Frederikshavn in northern Denmark staged the most important multisport occasion for athletes with mental disabilities within the Nordic area.
Now in its 9th version, the pageant featured competitions in athletics, badminton, bocce, bowling, equestrian, floorball, soccer, golf, gymnastics, handball, swimming and desk tennis. Whereas designated as Particular Olympics Denmark’s Nationwide Video games, the occasion additionally attracted a major variety of worldwide rivals from Particular Olympics Finland, Particular Olympics Faroe Islands, Particular Olympics Germany, Particular Olympics Iceland, Particular Olympics Norway and Particular Olympics Sweden, who performed in opposition to and side-by-side with their Danish counterparts.
“Our hope is that this type of occasion conjures up individuals to apply sports activities,” commented Sœren Jul Kristensen, Particular Olympics Denmark Nationwide Director.
“To deal with their coaching earlier than the occasion, that they’re impressed to maintain coaching once they go house, and that new individuals are impressed to begin up.
“We attempt to place our Nationwide Video games in several areas in Denmark every year. We hope to depart a legacy that can see extra sports activities for individuals with ID regionally, and extra consideration towards the goal group.”
Past sports activities, important expectations are positioned on well being as an important facet of the occasion’s legacy.
Statistics reveal that the lifespan of individuals with mental disabilities (ID) in Denmark is on common 20 years shorter than that of the overall inhabitants. Subsequently, it’s no shock that the Wholesome Athletes program performed a significant function on the Particular Olympics Denmark Idrætsfestival 2024.
The Area Nord, the occasion’s principal hub, hosted 4 Particular Olympics Wholesome Athletes disciplines: FUNFitness, Well being Promotion, Particular Smiles and Opening Eyes.
Birgit Hansen, Mayor of Frederikshavn, confirmed nice enthusiasm when attending the Wholesome Athletes program and shared her dedication to enhancing medical requirements for residents with mental disabilities. She highlighted the significance of offering a variety of companies overlaying numerous areas equivalent to diet, dentistry, optometry, and psychological well being.
“Now we have a accountability that isn’t over when these Video games are over. Now we have to be extra conscious of [the needs of people with ID when it comes to] psychological and bodily well being as a group. We share this accountability with each particular person, their mother and father, their buddies and the individuals who work with and for them.”
Mayor Hansen additionally expressed her satisfaction and pleasure in internet hosting such an essential occasion in Frederikshavn, “We’re not a very rich municipality, however we actually attempt to create new alternatives for individuals with ID, and we are able to at all times do extra. Internet hosting an occasion [like this] comes with a price however, as for a lot of questions in life, it’s a matter of priorities.”
Peter Larsen, a Particular Olympics Denmark handball participant from Frederikshavn, beamed with satisfaction and pleasure as he took on the function of torch runner. This once-in-a-lifetime honor of representing each his nation and his metropolis on the Nationwide Video games was deeply significant to the younger handball champion, who proudly wore a shiny bronze medal round his neck.
“I really feel proud and joyful. I’ve been wanting ahead to [that moment] for a very long time. Once I bumped into the corridor with the torch, all of the individuals had been standing up. It was very emotional; I’ll at all times bear in mind it.”
“I cried, and Peter cried. It was very, very touching”, added his coach, Tove Malmberg. Tears are virtually shed on the mere reminiscence of the second, and it’s only the runner-up for the title of “Greatest Second” of this occasion in Peter’s e book. The handball champion helped his crew to victory with a last-minute aim throughout additional time within the closing match, securing it as his Greatest Second.
“Profitable the match right now is the very best reminiscence of those Video games,” says Peter with sheer pleasure. “The match [has been] intense and really thrilling. It’s superb to be a part of a crew and win collectively as a result of all people works for each other.”
