APPIANO GENTILE – Today the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti showcased an initiative that is part of the journey that Inter and the Special Olympics have been taking part in together for several years now.
The Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organisation for people with intellectual disabilities: with 4.2 million athletes in 170 countries -- and millions more volunteers and supporters. As explained by Alessandra Palazzotti, the Special Olympics national president, the aim is that of "promoting diversity, since it is a positive value that favours social inclusion for everyone."
These sentiments were echoed by Bedy Moratti, who spoke for Inter at the press conference and pointed out the importance of the initiatives carried out by the Special Olympics, stressing the Nerazzurri’s pride in acting as a global ambassador for the organisation.
For ten days, Inter hosted ten athletes with intellectual disabilities on the same pitches that the Nerazzurri use for training. A clinic was held for the Special Olympics athletes, giving them the possibility to train and play a match with their heroes.
Today’s activities are part of the initiatives linked to the European Football Week, from 17 to 25 May and entirely dedicated to football. The event is taking place in 50 European countries, involving more than 55,000 athletes both with and without intellectual disabilities.
The game itself was an exciting one, with Giuseppe Baresi of Inter Forever and Nerazzurri players Zanetti, Guarin, Nagatomo, Jonathan and Ranocchia. They were all excited to take part in a match with two teams that included both Inter players and the Special Olympics lads. It then ended with a penalty shootout, along with plenty of smiles, embraces and photos.
