More than 80 Special Olympics athletes from across Europe are in Luxembourg to compete at Euro Tennis 2013 which gets underway today at the National Tennis Centre (CNT) in Esch/Alzette, Luxembourg. Euro Tennis 2013 is Europe’s largest tennis Tournament for players with intellectual disabilities and is hosted by Special Olympics Luxembourg in association with Luxembourg’s National Tennis Federation ‘Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Tennis’ (FLT) and Tennis Club TC Esch. Team Luxembourg and 18 additional teams from across the Special Olympics Europe Eurasia region will compete in what is one of the highlights of the Special Olympics sporting calendar for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The three day competition will conclude with finals at singles, doubles and mixed doubles level. Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectuals disabilities serving more than four million athletes in 175 countries.
The Euro Tennis 2013 Tournament is well supported by a host of respected sports personalities and dignitaries including members of Luxembourg’s Royal family. Patron of Euro Tennis 2013 is HRH Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg and HRH Prince Felix of Luxembourg and his wife Princess Claire will show their support by attending the Opening Ceremony this evening, which is expected to be a spectacular event.
Jacques Radoux, Captain of the Luxembourg Davis Cup Team and former Hungarian tennis champion Agnes Szavay will conduct a number of tennis skills clinics for athletes over the three days while Olympic Tennis stars Anne Kremer, Claudine Schaul, Mandy Minella and Gilles Muller will also attend and share their tips on how to hit the perfect lob and serve that flawless ace.
“I am really looking forward to meeting and sharing some tips with the Special Olympics athletes competing and I can’t wait to watch them on court playing the beautiful game of tennis. They are an inspiration to me and I am proud to support Special Olympics and Euro Tennis 2013,” said Hungarian tennis star Agnes Szavay.
As Special Olympics is also the world’s largest public health organization for people with intellectual disabilities – a population that can face severe health issues – there will be a Healthy Athlete Screening Village at Euro Tennis 2013. Dozens of volunteer healthcare professionals will provide free health screenings to athletes and referrals for follow-up medical care.
In addition to the healthcare volunteers more than 120 volunteers will work tirelessly to support Euro Tennis 2013 across all areas to ensure the three days run smoothly for the athletes, their families, coaches and thousands of supporters.
Under the theme of the ‘Big 4 M – Merci, Muscles, Magic and Music’ – the Closing Ceremony takes place on November 18th and is expected to be just as spectacular as Opening Ceremony. Supported by the Luxembourg National Olympic Committee, The Luxembourg Ministry of Sports and the Mayors of Esch/Alzette and Pétange Euro Tennis 2013 is set be an exciting Tournament that will promote the inclusion and respect of all people with intellectual disabilities while providing intense competition opportunities for the athletes.
For more information: www.specialolympics.lu
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