Inauguration of Special Olympics Italia National Summer Games

Thousands of athletes, volunteers, technicians, relatives and supporters took part last Monday in the opening ceremony of the 2011 Special Olympics Italia National Summer Games at the Alberto Picco stadium in La Spezia, where the Nomadi also gave a concert.

An appointment that is essential for reminding everyone about the importance of sport for the total social integration of people with intellectual disability.
Yesterday, an estimated 2000 athletes taking part in the 27th edition of the games began the first qualifying rounds for the competitions that will continue until Saturday, June 11.

Also this year the games are attended by volunteers in the Solcioe (Special Olympics Lions Club International Opening Eyes) Italia Onlus program that aims to improve the quality of life for people with vision defects by optometric screenings for optimizing eyesight.
The 78 volunteers (optometrists, ophthalmologists and university students of optics and optometry) are pursuing the objectives of the Opening Eyes program by carrying out eye exams on athletes and by providing them with corrective eyeglasses if required. Everything was provided free of charge thanks also to the contribution of the sponsors: Essilor, Centrostyle, Frastema Ophtalmics, and Safilo companies, which will supply ophthalmic lenses, frames and vision screening equipment.
The Solcioe international program began in Italy 10 years ago and is part of the wider Special Olympics Healthcare Program.