The youngest participant of the Unified Games in Kazan is only nine years old. This is Andrei Kiryushin from the Lipetsk region. He works in the discipline “futsal”. And the oldest participant is from the Vladimir region. Sergey Kolabaev is 52 years old and will fight for victory in volleyball.
The colorful opening ceremony was designed by one of the brightest and most famous stage directors, Alexei Sechenov.
Athletes from 59 regions of Russia and the Republic of Belarus take part in the Unified Games
The Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Oleg Matytsin, the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the Special Olympics of Russia Olga Slutsker addressed the participants of the ceremony with warm words of welcome.
“We must not only hold these unique competitions, the main thing is to create an atmosphere in which children with intellectual disabilities can feel like members of our big sports family through sports. Holidays in the land of Tatarstan will once again demonstrate our openness , our absolutely unlimited possibilities. We are all here united, and teachers, and coaches, and athletes, this is some kind of model of our life, which we must demonstrate to the whole world, ”said Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin.
“The United Games is a special project that helps us understand each other. All athletes will be able to try their luck, feel the joy of victory and fully enjoy the emotions of the fans. I am sure that you and your loved ones will feel cozy and comfortable in Tatarstan. We will do our best for that,” said the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.
“Special Olympics is not about seconds, records, medal positions. Special Olympics is a competition for people with mental disabilities, where, thanks to their effort, will and desire, they become more independent and self-confident. Sports and creative activities for such people – it is rehabilitation, socialization, improvement of their physical and mental health,” Olga Slutsker, president of Special Olympics Russia, told the media.
