THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!
In exactly 89 days, the national Special Olympics Winter Games 2020 will open in Villach and the communities of Feistritz/Gail and Hohenthurn. Preparations for this are in full swing and there are still some highlights waiting until the start of the games.
From now on, a giant clock at Villach City Hall will draw attention to this major sports event, which will be staged in Carinthia from January 22 – 28, 2020. Villach’s mayor Günther Albel – together with regional sports director Arno Arthofer, SO ambassador Martin Koch, athletes from Diakonie de la Tour Treffen as well as from the integration center “Rettet das Kind” – officially counted down the last 100 days at the newly installed countdown clock at Villach’s city hall on Monday.
City boss Albel: “We are right in the middle of the organization, everyone is helping together and we are already looking forward to it tremendously. These Winter Games will be something really great for the city of Villach and all of Carinthia!”
1,000 athletes – 10 sports
Villach and the outposts Feistritz/Gail and Hohenthurn are the venues of the sports competitions for people with intellectual disabilities and will become venues for top sporting performances and emotional moments in January 2020.
Around 1,000 athletes and 500 coaches from all over Austria are expected at the Games, with some smaller international delegations also taking part.
On the competition days 10 sports will be held: Figure skating, speed skating, floorball, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, alpine skiing, snowboarding, curling, dance and MATP (Motor Activity Training Program).
In addition, there will be an extensive supporting program with opening and closing ceremonies, the traditional Torch Run, around 300 award ceremonies and, for the first time at the Winter Games, a Night Race.
Many milestones have already been reached on the road to the 2020 Winter Games. The registration phase is over, now the final spurt begins for the association Special Olympics – Herzschlag Kärnten, which is responsible for the realization, in order to be able to guarantee unforgettable games for all participants and visitors.
Inclusion Day & Dance Sport Championship
Before the Special Olympics fire is ceremoniously lit in Villach in 100 days, there are still some special highlights on the program as a prelude:
On Thursday, October 17, 2019, an inclusion sports day will take place in the gym of HAK Villach, organized by a team of high school graduates from HAK Villach. At various stations, the focus is on sports and fun and being together. It starts at 10 a.m. and participation is free of charge.
A very special emotional event will be the 1st Austrian Special Olympics – Dance Sport Championship on November 9, 2019 in the Casineum Velden. Special Olympics athletes from all over Austria will demonstrate their skills in a total of four categories: Solo, Duo, Couple, Team. The program includes the preliminary competition, the final, the award ceremonies and musical acts.
Already the previous dance sport competitions have shown: The performances are impressive – the atmosphere unique! Admission is at 17:30, start 18 clock (until about 21 clock).
The map advance booking for this completely special Event already started, orders and reservations (one-way tickets and/or table packages) are taken under [email protected] and/or by telephone under 0650 – 490 11 36. The net proceeds will benefit the association Herzschlag Kärnten.