Aylward launches Special Olympics EU exhibition

Fianna Fáil MEP Liam Aylward officially launched the Special Olympics European Parliament Exhibition in Brussels this week.

The exhibition, entitled Changing Lives in Europe, highlights the impact of Special Olympics on the lives of people with an intellectual disability in Europe.

“This exhibition highlights the important role that the European Special Olympics play in our society,” Mr Aylward said. “This is an organisation that gives serious fulfilment and happiness to millions of people, which includes participants, their families, and the tens of thousands of volunteers who continue to ensure that this organisation is such a great success.

“At the core of the mission statement of the European Special Olympics is a need to break down stereotypes about disabled people.

“We must continue to promote volunteerism in society and the European Parliament is seeking serious financial backing from the EU for the hosting of both the European Special Olympics, which will be held in Warsaw next year, and the World Special Olympics which will be held in Athens in the year 2011.”

“It must also be emphasised that if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified then the EU will be given new powers to bring in programmes which will promote the role of volunteerism in sport,” he concluded.

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