Launceston, Tasmania will be the host city for both the Special Olympics Australia Junior National Games in 2020 and the National Games in 2022.
Opening ceremony for the Junior National Games will be held on 19 October 2020 with competition running until the closing ceremony on 21 October 2020.
The dates and a funding announcement were made by Corene Strauss, Chief Executive Officer, Special Olympics Australia alongside representatives of the Federal Labor Party Senator Carol Brown, Shadow Minister for Disability and Carers and Ross Hart MP, Member for Bass.
Junior National Games and National Games are important pathways for Special Olympics athletes. They help our athletes set goals and work towards those goals for years. This aspiration is so important in helping people with intellectual disabilities get active and stay involved in sport.
The games will be an exciting opportunity for athletes and athletes to meet new friends, catch-up with old friends, gain access to health screenings and whilst positively changing attitudes around intellectual disability within Launceston.
The combined events are expected to see more than 1,800 Special Olympics athletes along with families and volunteers flock to Launceston for their chance to participant in the peak domestic competition.
The City of Launceston has opened the door to athlete’s personal achievement along with inclusion for some of the most invisible and marginalised members of Australia. We know that we will be very warmly welcomed in beautiful Launceston.
This will be a great opportunity for the people of Tasmania to open their hearts and minds to people with an intellectual disability and show that they are an inclusive community.
Stay tuned for more information.