United Through Sports launch the 2020 World Virtual Youth Festival

More than 60 organisations including the IOC, IPC and Special Olympics are supporting the event which will invite youngsters from under 18 years to take part in online qualification events in October. Winners from the qualification events will progress to the online finals that will be hosted in Thailand between 20-22 November to coincide with the United Nations World Children’s Day.

The festival will include youths not only from participating International Federations, but also from migrant and refugee backgrounds, from the indigenous community and from vulnerable backgrounds who are often marginalised by society.

IPC QUALIFICATION EVENT

The IPC ‘Inclusive Sports’ Challenge will be open to everyone. Therefore, rather than setting youngsters a specific exercise routine, participants will be invited to create their own.

The IPC will stage its qualification event between 7 and 21 October 2020.

To enter the IPC qualification event, youngsters divided into two categories from under 12s and under 18 years old by 20 November 2020, will need to film themselves performing an exercise routine of their choice for 60 seconds maximum.

Once they have finished the routine, they need to spend 45 seconds to the camera explaining their motivation to participate in this challenge and what world leaders need to do to create a more accessible and inclusive future for all people. This could be part of the same video or a second one.

Messages should be recorded in English; otherwise an English transcript must be provided together with the video.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS MESSAGE

Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics stated: “On behalf of our over six million Special Olympics athletes, we are delighted to grant patronage and applaud the effort of UTS to demonstrate the power of inclusive sport for all. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Special Olympics halted all training and competitions for 2020, however are excited and we fully support the United Through Sports Virtual Youth Festival 2020 as being especially important for our athletes, to remain active, connected and certainly included. May this Festival be the first of many more inclusive events to come.”

More information from https://unitedthroughsports.com/