An event promoting sports as a decisive tool for breaking down barriers and building bridges between people was held today in Rome. The gathering took place at the Acqua Acetosa sports facility of the Reale Circolo Canottieri Tevere Remo, a venue dedicated to rowing, under the banner of inclusivity and social cohesion.
The initiative was promoted by Special Olympics Italia in collaboration with the Italian Rowing Federation (Federazione Italiana Canottaggio – Fic). This partnership has over time regularized the participation of athletes with intellectual disabilities in training and competitions, not only those organized by Special Olympics but also by the Fic itself. The Special Olympics RCC Tevere Remo team, active in Italy for about 20 years thanks to the efforts of National Technical Coordinator and Fic liaison Paolo Ramoni, was the first to practice rowing in this inclusive framework. Their pioneering work has inspired other historic rowing clubs across Italy to open their doors to unified rowing.
Daniele Masala, President of the Tevere Remo rowing club, was present. For over two decades, the club has supported Special Olympics with affection and friendship, providing facilities and valuable resources based on a strong belief in the inclusive value of sport. Also in attendance was Annamaria Cacciotti, President of the Fic Lazio Committee. The capital’s rowing team now boasts over 70 athletes who, supported by coach Livia Ravoni, pursue the sport with joy, determination, and passion.
Italian Minister for Disability, Alessandra Locatelli, was also present. The Minister has been a frontline supporter of Special Olympics initiatives on multiple occasions.
“I believe Special Olympics is playing a truly very important role with the sports activities it is promoting, because they are a model and even a lifestyle in the dimension of sport, of recreational time, and in the provision of services for people with and without intellectual disabilities,” said Minister Locatelli during the event. “Special Olympics Italia, Alessandra Palazzotti, all the board representatives, and Professor Alessandro Palazzotti, who is not here with us today, certainly do exemplary work. I am very attached to the movement because their history has been intertwined with mine all these years and I am truly very proud of everything they are carrying forward. I also want to thank Tevere Remo for believing in social inclusion and supporting Special Olympics towards a more inclusive sport. Yesterday with the President we also talked about future collaborations in other sports and this fills my heart with joy: it is the right path that everyone should follow.”
A further distinguished guest took part in the event: Wafaa Abubakr Mohammad A-Kilani, Libya’s Minister of Social Affairs, who participated and trained alongside the athletes throughout the day.