Larnaca: One of Europe’s most important sports conferences, the Special Olympics European Sports Conference 2025, is being hosted this year in Cyprus for the first time.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the opening ceremony took place on Tuesday in Larnaca, and was attended by distinguished guests from the fields of sports, politics, academia, and the media.
The conference, which runs until Thursday, October 23, brings together sports leaders, professionals, and researchers from across Europe with the goal of exchanging knowledge and best practices on topics such as sports development, sustainability, inclusion, and technological innovation in the field.
The organisers noted that the decision to select Cyprus as the host country reflects the country’s ‘ongoing commitment to promoting sport for all, while also highlighting national initiatives that advance inclusion and the acceptance of diversity’.
The event was opened by Cypriot Special Olympics athlete Christos Kasoulidis, with a short performance conveying the message of strength, inspiration, and creative expression embodied by Special Olympics athletes.
A welcome address on behalf of the President of the Republic was delivered by Andreas Papallis, member of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Sports Organisation. Greetings were also extended by David Evangelista, President and Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, President of Cyprus Special Olympics, Maria Vassiliadou, and Cyprus Special Olympics National Director, Dr. Eleni Rossides.