2015-06-09Staff Report 2 Windhoek - Special Olympics Namibia recently confirmed that Namibia will be represented at the 14th Special Olympics World Summer Games, in Los Angeles, USA from July 25 to August 2, 2015. The Namibian team will participate in three disciplines, namely, male basketball, female sprint and male marathon. Special Olympics Namibia Board member Sydney Goagoseb will be the head of delegation. Special Olympics Namibia chairperson, Hanna Garises, said the initial team included a football team but the squad had to be reduced due to lack of a budget to cater for the entire contingent. She was nevertheless confident that the chosen athletes would again go and do Namibia proud in Los Angeles. Previously, Special Olympics Namibia participated in 1999 in North Carolina, in Ireland in 2003, in Shanghai in 2007 and Athens in 2011. Garises said that despite financial challenges the preparations went well and she is confident that all athletes will be in top form ahead of their departure to the USA. Every four years, thousands of Special Olympics athletes worldwide come together to demonstrate their athletic skills and their unique ability. This is the foundation for the spirit of the Special Olympics. Alternating between Summer Games and Winter Games, Special Olympics World Games bring public attention to the talents and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities, helping to change attitudes and break down barriers that exclude them from mainstream athletics. With 7 000 athletes and 3 000 coaches representing 177 countries, along with 30 000 volunteers and an anticipated 500 000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles in July will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015. by Staff Reporter 2015-06-09Staff Report 2
