Sport is one! In less than a month, the Dis+Abled European Summer Games will kick off in Wągrowiec

On June 17, athletes from all over Europe will begin to descend on Wągrowiec to take part in an unusual competition. During the Dis+Abled European Summer Games, both athletes with and without disabilities will compete together.

The name Dis+Abled did not come from nowhere – in all disciplines the organizers adjust the rules and regulations so that there is a possibility for athletes with and without disabilities to compete. Competitions in many disciplines will be held throughout Wągrowiec. This will make the most of the potential of the city, which is located in the Wielkopolskie Lake District.

All sports fans are familiar with competition in table tennis, swimming, archery or bowling. However, fans of Paralympic sports will certainly be happy to hear about sports that – originally intended for athletes with disabilities – will now be available to everyone. Among these disciplines, athletes will try their hand at bocci, goalball, as well as handbike competition and Paralympic volleyball. The competition in so many disciplines will be possible thanks to the cooperation of the city, the Wągrowiec district office and facilities such as OSiR Wągrowiec, the Wielspin Rehabilitation and Recreation Center and Aqupark Wągrowiec. In addition, thanks to the involvement of the local „Neptun” Sailing Club, sailing competitions will also be held.

However, not sport alone is the life of such a great event – in addition to the rivalry, workshops await the participants of the event, whose participants will learn more about sports training methods or „green practices”, so that sport and everyday life do not have to collide with the environment.

With an inclusive approach to competition, the selection of Dis+Abled European Summer Games ambassadors had to be no different. One of the event’s ambassadors will be Artur Siódmiak – a native of Wągrowiec, former Polish national handball player and two-time World Championship medalist in this discipline. The other ambassador will be a representative of the Paralympic world – Milena Olszewska, a two-time bronze medalist at the Games in the classic arch.

The opening ceremony will take place on June 18 at 4:30 pm at the Market Square in Wągrowiec. On June 18 and 19 there will be training sessions, and on June 20 and 21 there will be competition at sports facilities. Workshops are planned throughout the event, and on June 22 there will be a closing ceremony combined with an awards ceremony. The athletes are scheduled to leave on June 23.

The organizer of the Dis+Abled European Summer Games is the Polish Paralympic Committee. The event is co-financed by the European Union’s Erasmus + program. The honorary patronage of the event is held by the Ministry of Environment and Climate and Minister of Sport and Tourism Kamil Bortniczuk. Media patrons of the event are the disabled.pl portal, TVP Sport and Polish Radio.