The 9th National Summer Games, the showpiece of Special Olympics GB, has announced it will take place from Wednesday 28th August until Sunday 1st September for the very first time in Bath.
The annual National Summer Games offers athletes with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to compete in a five day Olympics sports competition in the following 12 disciplines: Athletics, Artistic Gymnastics, Football, Boccia, Badminton, Short-mat Bowls, Golf, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Table Tennis, Ten Pin Bowling, Tennis and Swimming.
The National Games will kick off with a spectacular Opening Ceremony on the 28th August where a fleet of athletes and spectators will gather to celebrate the start of the much anticipated competition. Over 1,700 athletes with intellectual disabilities will then gather to compete in a Summer of inspirational sporting achievements.
Special Olympics GB is designed to provide year-round sports training to over 8,000 people with intellectual disabilities across the country. Firmly established as a member of the Olympic family, this Summer of sport is set to be a truly unmissable event and build on the huge successes of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Prospective spectators are invited to attend the event for free with the event timetable to be announced shortly on the official website, www.specialolympicsgb.org.
Karen Wallin, CEO Special Olympics GB, said: ‘Over 1,700 athletes and 500 voluntary coaches – supported by a further 500 volunteers and estimated 5,000 family members – will be heading to Bath for our biggest national event which takes place every four years.’
‘We are extremely excited and proud to see The National Games enter its 9th year and I know Bath will provide a fantastic five days of inspirational sporting competition’.
With almost 1.2 million people (2% of the population) in Great Britain living with an intellectual disability, Special Olympics GB plays a vital role in improving the quality of lives and confidence in those affected. It is the largest registered charity providing year round sports training for people with learning disabilities and serves over 8,000 registered athletes through almost 150 volunteer-led clubs throughout the UK.
