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Friday, 27th of May
19.00h
The Amber Fashion Show and Charity Auction to benefit Special Olympics, under the high Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco at the Meridien Beach Plaza Hotel.
Madame Charlene Wittstock has received here official nomination as Special Olympics Global Ambassador at this event from Timothy Ph. Shriver Chairman Special Olympics International in presence of Special Olympics Global Ambassadors Nadia Comaneci & Bart Conner.
MADAME CHARLENE WITTSTOCK BECOMES GLOBAL AMBASSDOR FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS Future Princess of Monte Carlo, Principality of Monaco – Friday, May 27th, 2011: Former South African Olympian and the future Princess of Monaco, Madame Charlene Wittstock, was today welcomed to the Special Olympics family as a Global Ambassador by Special Olympics CEO and Chairman Timothy Shriver as well as other Global Ambassadors, former Olympics champion gymnasts Nadia Comaneci and Bart Connor, at the AMBER Charity Fashion event for the global Movement during the 69th Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend of Monaco. As Global Ambassador for the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, serving 3.7 million athletes in more than 170 countries, Madame Charlene Wittstock will be charged with taking Special Olympics’ message of inclusion and respect to a worldwide audience. The announcement comes just weeks ahead of the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games taking place in “As I enter a new and very exciting new journey in my life, I am thrilled to become a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics” said Madame Charlene Wittstock. “Special Olympics is a Movement that has always been close to my heart as it uses the power of sport to make incredible changes in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities while transforming attitudes around the world”.
Madame Wittstock joins a select group of athletes and celebrities who are dedicated to spreading the Special Olympics movement and message worldwide. These include names such as Chinese basketball player Yao Ming, footballer Kaka, Olympic medalists Michael Phelps, Michelle Kwan, Scott Hamilton, Bart Conner and Nadia Comaneci; recording artist Joe Jonas; boxing legend Muhammad Ali; actors Zhang Ziyi and Jackie Chan, and performer Vanessa Williams. ENDS For more information visit www.specialolympics.org About Special Olympics Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more than 3.7 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in places like China and from regions like the Middle East to the community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood’s backyard. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship.
Principality of Interview with Special Olympics Global Ambassador Madame Charlene Wittstock Why did you decide to become a global ambassador for Special Olympics? Madame Charlene Wittstock: Special Olympics is a movement that has always been close to my heart. I have participated in many Special Olympics swimming events in the past in South Africa and it has always been a joy for me to see first hand the power of sport in changing lives for children with intellectual disabilities, not only helping athletes become fitter and stronger, but helping them gain more self confidence, experience joy and make new friends. I really got so much from these athletes. Most of all they helped me realise that giving is the most beautiful gesture that we can do. I am honoured to be representing a cause dedicated to children and in which sport has its place. Madame Charlene Wittstock: Through sports, Special Olympics helps bring about attitudinal change in the way people with intellectual disability view themselves and are viewed and treated by others, replacing misunderstanding and fear with respect, acceptance and inclusion. By being a Global Ambassador I want to help build around the world more communities of respect, acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities. You are just weeks from becoming the Princess of Madame Charlene Wittstock: Yes this is a very exciting time for me and I’m delighted that I begin this new stage of my life in the role as Global Ambassador of Special Olympics. Sport has given me so much in my life not least the values by which I live by. Through Sport I met my future husband. So now Special Olympics provide me the opportunity to give back through sport. You are expected to travel to Madame Charlene Wittstock: I want to wish each of the athletes the very best of luck and success in Many thanks! Maureen Rabbitt Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia Morrisson Chambers 3rd Floor Dublin 2 T: 00 353 1 675 5716 M: 00 353 87 786 6001 E: mrabbitt@specialolympics.org Web: www.specialolympics-eu.org
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