After a hiatus of almost two years due to the pandemic, the biggest and most inclusive Olympic level sporting event, took place in Malta from the 13th to the 18th of May 2022, with Property Malta Foundation proudly supporting this international event as one of its main sponsors.
Organized in partnership with the Government of Malta and Sports Malta, the Invitational Games offered Special Olympics athletes the chance to meet with over 1,000 athletes from 23 countries, in six disciplines, namely athletics, swimming, bowling, bocce, table tennis and football.
Malta fielded more than 400 athletes in all disciplines and went away with a total of 65 gold, 60 silver and 67 bronze medals.
Malta’s best performance in the Games came in swimming where an impressive 56 medals – 17 gold, 17 silver and 22 bronze medal were won.
In track and field events, Maltese athletes had 47 podium finishes – 16 gold, 16 silver and 15 medals. Other medals were won in bocce – 16 gold, 15 silver medals and 17 bronze medals, bowling – 14 gold, nine silver and 12 bronze. Another gold medal was won in football and one gold, three silver and one bronze in table tennis.
The Games were held at the Marsa Sports Complex, the University Sports Complex and St Julians, with spectacular opening and closing ceremonies taking place at St. George’s Square in Malta’s capital city, Valletta. Apart from the competitions, all Special Olympics athletes were offered free health screenings before the Games. Special Olympics Malta Invitational Games also showcased the activities of the Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Program and Young Athletes. While the latter focuses on those athletes still too young to participate in the regular competitions, the former is designed to prepare athletes with severe or profound intellectual disabilities and significant physical disabilities for sport-specific activities appropriate for their skill levels. Special Olympics also hosted a University Forum in which professors, students and experts discussed the most pressing issues people with intellectual disabilities face in sport and in the educational system.
At the extravagant closing ceremony held in Valletta, Special Olympics President, Lydia Abela paid tribute to every athlete who took part in the Games and congratulated all the winners.
“Over the past four days we have all witnessed your strength. What gives me the greatest pleasure, however, is seeing your smiles. It is indeed a special time for us all.” Abela said.
“Today we look back at the past four days and feel a sense of pride. You are an inspiration to us all. An inspiration to others who are still uncertain if they are to practice a sport. I stand before you humbled by your willpower and grit. It has been a true honour for our country,” Abela said.
In line with its mission to promote Malta’s lifestyle identity and to position our country as a leading destination of choice for those interested in living in the Mediterranean, Sandro Chetcuti, Property Malta Foundation Chairman, expressed his satisfaction with the partnership with the Special Olympics Malta Invitational Games.
“On behalf of the board of Property Malta, I would like to congratulate the committee on the excellent organisation they have pulled off, and thank them for this ambitious initiative of inclusion that sets a good example of Malta’s warmth to diversity to the rest of the world.”, he concluded.
