Olympics for the Innocents

As part of our preparations for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics,  we have another guest blogger today. Rhys Osborne, Head of Registry at the British Embassy in Bucharest, kindly shared his impressions about a recent event supported by the Embassy.

Last week I took part in an event hosted by Fundatia Inocenti.  Established in 1990, Fundatia Inocenti run numerous programmes in Bistrita and Bucharest including child life – an intense psychological and motor stimulation programme  for abandoned infants between 0-2 years old and other activities such as “me and my family” helping institutionalised children transferred from orphanages into foster homes adapt to their new surroundings.  The organisation has a wonderful team of people doing great work in Romania, supporting children and their families in order to have a better life – working to build a more peaceful and better world in the true terms of the Olympic Spirit.

For the 6th edition of the annual event over 300 children of mental and physical disabilities participated in sporting and other fun events during an action packed day.  Opened with the release of 100 white balloons to symbolise the wishes of the children –  Olympiada VI aimed to bring a day of joy to children who have far less opportunities than those with similar disabilities in the UK.

Over 110 active volunteers (some 60 more than they expected) from the community, many of whom were teenagers from local schools, played a large part in helping set up the event.  Throughout the day I saw young volunteers getting involved, encouraging and helping those with difficulties to participate, showing patience and sensitivity.

From Arts and Crafts, Table Tennis, Basketball, photo shopping opportunities and extremely competitive five-a-side football there was no lack of games for the participants to get involved in, but for me the stand out event was the running and wheelchair races.  Taking place at the end of the day, after some events had been packed away to create room, nearly all of the days participants and volunteers gathered around to support and encourage those who were competing.  An emotional moment and a fitting way to end the day.

A really great occasion on a day where there were only winners – the sponsors, volunteers, organisers and most of all the children.