Special Olympics - Play the Games

Everything is ready for the new edition of "Play the Games", the national summer games of Special Olympics which, for the second time in a row, will stop in Lignano Sabbiadoro, hosted by the Bella Italia Village, where, from 9 to 12 May, schedule swimming races!

As many as 300 athletes are expected in Lignano Sabbiadoro, who will be joined by as many companions and technicians. The competitions will begin from 10.30am on May 9th (the day of the 8th will be dedicated to the accreditation of the delegations). The athletes will compete in the four swimming styles used in competitions and regulated by FINA (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, dolphin/butterfly), but there will also be the 4x50 and 4x100, mixed and freestyle relays. Also on May 9th, at 6pm, in the central square of the Village, the opening ceremony will be held with the arrival of the Olympic Flame! The grand finale is scheduled for May 12th, in the early afternoon, at the end of the races, with the parade of delegations and the greeting of the authorities.
 
The 'Play the Games', now in their 6th edition, represent a single major event with multidisciplinary and inclusive sport which, in preparation for the 2025 Special Olympics World Games, for the first time in Italy, assume in all respects the value of National Summer Games. The rich calendar includes sporting events scheduled in different Italian regions: 7 major events, for a total of 23 days, which will cross Italy from April to June. “Play the Games” is a multidisciplinary, interregional, educational sporting event and above all capable of involving athletes with and without intellectual disabilities, coming from all over Italy. Through the long review, with 14 sports disciplines competing, every nuance of diversity will emerge, bringing the colors of inclusion high.