VietNamNet Bridge – For the first time, Vietnam will participate in the 2013 PyeongChang Special Olympics World Winter Games, to be hosted by the Republic of Korea (RoK) from January 29 to February 5 next year.

The event is organised for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The seven countries making their debuts at the 2013 games include Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Papua New Guinea.

The Special Hands Project, a subsidiary of the games themselves, will provide financial aid for accommodation, travel, uniforms, and equipment to Vietnamese representatives from January 27 to February 6, 2013.

Hoang Van Cuong (13 years old) and Nguyen Ngoc Bao Tram (20 years old) are two of the Vietnamese athletes intending to compete at the Special Olympics World Winter Games PyeongChang 2013.

113 athletes from all over the world will compete for titles in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, snowboarding, and speed-skating.

Winter Games was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a sister of former US President John F. Kennedy.

She was a pioneer in the struggle by people with intellectual disabilities for international rights and acceptance.

Source: VOV online