In a major milestone ahead of the Special Olympics World Games Santiago 2027, Special Olympics Chile (OE Chile) and the Chilean Olympic Committee (COCH) came together to renew their agreement to strengthen joint work, with the aim of advancing the development of inclusive sport across the country.
The signing took place at the Olympic Training Center, in a ceremony led by Minister of Sport Natalia Duco; Lorena Castillo, acting National Director of the National Sports Institute; Iván Espinoza, Regional Director of Senadis; Miguel Ángel Mujica, President of the Chilean Olympic Committee; Carolina Picasso, President of Special Olympics Chile; and Teresita Lira, Athlete Leader of Special Olympics Chile.
The purpose of the agreement is to open up greater opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to take part in sport, strengthening the ties between Special Olympics Chile and the COCH as Santiago 2027 approaches — an event that will bring together more than 6,000 athletes from over 170 countries.
Carolina Picasso, President of OE Chile, said that “renewing this agreement is a renewal of the conviction that both the COCH and OE Chile share in the power of sport to transform lives, communities and societies”.
“Signing this partnership reminds us that sport is an extraordinary tool. A space where differences become strengths, where effort is valued above any other condition, and where people have the chance to develop their full potential,” added COCH President Miguel Ángel Mujica.
Minister of Sport Natalia Duco said that “the message that unites us all is teamwork — working to make SO Chile stronger and to make the World Games spectacular, so that athletes gain visibility and opportunities.”
Teresita Lira, Athlete Leader of SO Chile, said that “now it is up to us, people with disabilities, to raise our own flag. But we won’t do it alone — we’ll do it together, as one great unified team.”
During the event, athletes from SO Chile and Team Chile took part in a Unified Basketball activity. The Minister of Sport commented that “seeing Team Chile athletes competing alongside athletes with intellectual disabilities reflects what inclusion really means. That is the goal that drives all of us.”
The agreement was signed days after the Minister and members of the Santiago 2027 Local Organizing Committee visited the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, United States, where the delegation met with local authorities to take notes and learn more about how these sporting events are run, as preparation for the upcoming World Games.
