2017 Winter World Games

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SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD WINTER GAMES AUSTRIA 2017 OVERVIEW

The Special Olympics World Winter Games were held in Austria in 1993 and will be returning to the country in 2017.  The Games will be held throughout Austria in three primary locations: in Graz (the second largest city in Austria and capital of the Styria region), Schladming (host city of the Alpine Skiing World Championships in 1982 and 2013) and Ramsau (host city of the Nordic Skiing World Championships in 1999).

RESULTS: http://www.austria2017.org/en/games-2017/the-results

SPECIAL OLYMPICS USA ATHLETEShttp://www.austria2017.org/en/athletes_by_nation?nation=usa

ESPN TV COVERAGEhttp://www.austria2017.org/files/content/INHALTE/News-Medien/Downloads/Zeitplaene%202017/ESPN%20Coverage.pdf

SPORTS AND AWARD CEREMONY SCHEDULE: http://www.austria2017.org/en/games-2017/the-program/sports-program-372

WHEN:

March 14th  – 25th, 2017 (Sporting competitions over 8 days)

Training Camp: December 12-15, 2016

WHERE:

Graz, Schladming, Ramsau am Dachstein, Schladming- Rohrmoos

(Graz: Convention Centre & Ice Hall, Schladming: Congress, Rohrmoos: Slope 32, Ramsau: WM Stadium)

Training Camp: Killington, Vermont

OPENING CEREMONY:

March 18th, 2017 Schladming, Stadium Planai

CLOSING CEREMONY:

March 24th, 2017 Graz, Merkur Arena

WHO:

3 Athletes from Special Olympics Wisconsin – Daina Shilts (snowboarding), Heidi Van Abel (cross country skiing), Kyle Robinson (alpine skiing)

More than 2,600 Athletes from 107 Nations

1,100 Coaches and Officials

3,000 Volunteers

10,000 Family Members and Fans in the Stands and millions watching around the world!

1,000 Media Representatives

1,400 Honored Guests

600 Sponsors

SPORTS:

Floorball (Graz, Convention Centre)
Floor Hockey (Graz, Convention Centre)
Stick Shooting (Graz, Convention Centre)
Figure Skating (Graz, Merkur Ice Hall)
Speed Skating (Graz, Merkur Ice Hall)
Alpine Skiing (Schladming-Rohrmoos, Slope 32)
Snowboarding (Schladming-Rohrmoos, Slope 32)
Nordic Skiing (Ramsau, WM Stadium)
Snowshoeing (Ramsau, WM Stadium

PROGRAMS:

Healthy Athletes Screenings – Volunteer healthcare professionals will provide athletes with free screenings and services in clinical areas including prescription eyewear and hearing aids.  Medical volunteers will return to their schools and medical practices with the experience and desire to better treat people with intellectual disabilities.  Athletes may return home with free corrective eyewear, hearing aids and other health materials that will help them be a greater athlete. 

School Initiatives – Special Olympics is partnering with Austrian educational institutions for the Games and increasing awareness among youth about the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities and appealing to students, teachers and parents to plan and conduct inclusive projects to foster greater acceptance.

Inclusive Exhibition Competitions – Team sports bring people together.  Special Olympics Unified Sports® do that and much more.  Dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences, Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team and playing field.  During the course of the World Games, 8 Unified Sports Experiences will take place.  These fun interactive events pair guests, dignitaries, and celebrities with Special Olympics athletes to compete. Unified Sports competitions will take place in the following sports throughout the World Games:  Cross-country skiing, Floor hockey, Snowshoeing, Floorball, Snowboarding, Short Track Speed Skating, Stick Shooting and Alpine Skiing.

Host Town Program – For the three days preceding Opening Ceremony, communities and cities across Austria will host delegations from around the world which will foster acceptance and inclusion of people with ID.  Athletes will get the welcome of a lifetime and along with members of their Host Town, take part in a fun schedule of cultural and sports activities.

Law Enforcement Torch Run – The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics is Special Olympics’ largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle in the world. The Final Leg Team (100 members strong) participating in the Torch Run is comprised of law enforcement runners, Special Olympics athletes, and Logistics Team members from 49 U.S. states and 24 countries around the world. The Torch Run will begin on 9th March in Bregenz (Vorarlberg), then the “Flame of Hope”, the most important symbol for Special Olympics, will be carried throughout multiple cities in Austria.

Internet:

Visit our official homepage: www.austria2017.org

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/austria2017

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/2017austria

Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/austria2017

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Winter World Games Athletes
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