When Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume entered the Coque Arena on Wednesday, the Young Athletes Day of the Special Olympics Luxembourg was already in full swing. At the event, children with intellectual or multiple disabilities had the opportunity to let off steam in sport. At different stations, which were occupied in turn by each of the eleven groups, the children were able to try their hand at long jumps, slalom runs and various ball and skill games. The many volunteers and more than 40 supervisors always kept an eye on the young athletes.
An event of this size is not that easy to put together. The sports director of the Special Olympics Luxembourg, Catherine Turmes, also knows this. “I don’t organize a day like today on my own. That’s not possible,” says Turmes, who has only been in office since February of this year. A big thank you goes to her team. “It’s just unbelievable how much energy the helpers bring and how they support me in my work.”
It is often said that we thank the volunteers. But I have to say, I would like to thank you for allowing me to do this.
Georgette Goergen
Volunteer helper
In addition to the board, it is primarily the volunteers who make the event possible. Some of them have been part of the Special Olympics several times, including Georgette Goergen. “I came to it by chance in 2018,” says the pensioner. At that time she was looking for a new job and then found it in the Special Olympics office. Goergen had no previous contact with the organization or work with people with disabilities, but wanted to get involved beyond her employment.
“I can recommend everyone to volunteer because it gives you a lot,” she emphasizes. “It is often said that we would like to thank the volunteers. But I have to say, I would like to thank you for allowing me to do this.” The fact that this work can be very strenuous at times does not reduce her motivation. “You are exhausted from work in the evening, but you are also very satisfied.”
Nevertheless, the willingness for such commitment in society is rather low. “There is always a lack of helping hands,” says Catherine Turmes. Getting people excited about volunteer work is becoming increasingly difficult. “To find volunteers you need social media,” explains Roberto Traversini, President of Special Olympics Luxembourg.
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However, it is usually personal contact at events or at work that can be profitable. “You don’t achieve much with flyers or something similar, but if you address people personally and take them to an event, the spark often jumps,” says Liliane Spielmann, who has already been active as a volunteer several times.
Support from the sports high school
This is also the case with some students at the Sportlycée. An entire class was invited to support the volunteers at Young Athletes Day. There was great curiosity about the event. “I had never heard of it, but it sounded interesting,” says Lauro Peguero. The student particularly liked how much fun the children had playing the games. Peguero can well imagine taking on a volunteer position with the Special Olympics again in the future.
Our athletes benefit greatly when they see that young people take the time to do sport with them.
Catherine Turmes
Sports director of the Special Olympics Luxembourg
The sports director is particularly pleased by the students’ commitment. “It was nice to see how the young people integrated and made an effort.” Turmes hopes to continue to cooperate with schools. “Our athletes benefit greatly when they see young people taking the time to play sports with them.” However, the event organizer thinks that the students will also benefit from the experience. Because “they notice that there are people who cannot achieve the same physical performance as them, but sport still triggers feelings of happiness.”
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and his wife, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie did not miss the medal presentation. Photo: Stéphane Guillaume
The presence of the Hereditary Grand Duke certainly triggered a special feeling. During his tour of the arena, he played with the children and tried some exercises himself. Together with his wife, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, Sports Minister Georges Mischo and Family Minister Max Hahn, he distributed the medals at the end of the games. The event concluded with a shared lunch.
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According to Catherine Turmes, further events are already being planned. It remains to be seen whether the “two to four new sports” announced by Traversini will make it into the program by then. What is certain, however, is that those responsible for the Special Olympics will continue to count on the support of many volunteers in the future in order to be able to offer the athletes even more such beautiful days.
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2024-04-01 09:30:18