Thursday, 4th December 2008

EX-NBA STAR JOHN AMAECHI TEAMS UP WITH SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES

Basketball star runs training session ahead of GB National Summer Games in Leicester

Ex-NBA star John Amaechi today hosted a basketball masterclass with local North West and East Midlands Special Olympics athletes at the Amaechi Basketball Centre in Manchester. This event is the first in a series of Special Olympics Leicester ambassador training sessions ahead of the GB National Summer Games, to be held in Leicester from July 25th-31st next year.

Amaechi, a Special Olympics GB ambassador and formerly of the Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz, put the athletes through a fast-paced training session, before stopping to sign autographs and answer questions about his role as a Special Olympics Great Britain ambassador.

“It is always a humbling experience to coach such enthusiastic people. I hope the Special Olympics athletes who attended the training session picked up a few tips from me and can put them into practice in next year’s National Summer Games!

“I know the organisers of the Games want next year to be the best ever Special Olympics GB National Summer Games. The city of Leicester has really embraced the Games and everything is in place to deliver a world-class event.”

Special Olympics athletes are individuals with intellectual disabilities who take part in sport to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society, and a key message being promoted is that opportunities in a sporting environment do exist for people with special needs.

The event is part of ongoing promotion ahead of next year’s National Summer Games in Leicester, which will see over 2,700 athletes compete in 21 sports, with the organisers aiming to reach their target of 1,500 volunteers to assist at the event.  More information on volunteering can be found at www.sol2009.com.

Leicester is the only city to have hosted the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games twice, having staged the event in 1989. As a city that has recently completed a massive regeneration programme, Leicester is committed to ensuring that the Special Olympics National Summer Games is a life changing opportunity for all participants.