The Special Olympics 2011 World Games represent the largest gathering in the world, dedicated to athletes with intellectual disabilities. They will take place from June 25 to July 4 in Athens. dedicated to athletes with intellectual disabilities. They will take place from June 25 to July 4 in Athens. More than 7,500 athletes from 185 countries will compete in 22 Olympic disciplines of 30 competition venues.

Saturday, June 18, the Haitian delegation flew to Greece. Peterson Léo, Moïse Ulysse Charles, Paolo Lorensky Hercule, Macéan Gédéon, Jamesley Philippe Pierre and Wooldy Poulard, will defend the colors of Haiti in football.

"Our 6 young athletes have been preparing for six months for this appointment. We formed this team in January 2010. We do not expect medals, but we believe that our participation is already a victory for our country. However, I must point out that we played several friendly matches against teams who have no problem with intellectual disabilities and we have always been winners", declared Milien Chéry, head of the Haitian delegation.

"This is the second participation of Haiti in these World Games, but this is the first time that we have representatives in football. Thank you to the parents who agreed to entrust their children for this great adventure. I can not find the words to thank the Digicel which has contributed greatly to this travel" reported Jean Chevalier Sanon, National Director of Special Olympics Committee of Haiti. Mr. Sanon insisted to say that our young football players are athletes, who are happy to be able to achieve this great children's dreams in Greece.

He took advantage of this occasion to launch an appeal to the Government Martelly, in order not to overlook people with disabilities, because they are an integral part of the society and can contribute to its development. "The construction of sports facilities must be accessible to these people," he insisted.

Learn more about the World Games :

The World Games are held every four years between the Winter Games and Summer Games. Since 2005, the FIFA through the movement Football for Hope, actively supports the Special Olympics, the largest international sports program for people with mental disabilities. This association was created in the United States in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy-Shriver (older sister of John Fitzgerald Kennedy), and is present in over 170 countries.

BF/ HaitiLibre