Special Olympics and Closing Ceremonies

July 3^rd

Today, marked the final day of competition at the 2011 Athens Special Olympics World Summer games. The Journey family returned to their posts and continued helping with Spectator services at the aquatic center and track and field stadium.

As Special Olympics athletes continued winning medals, students grew closer to local Greeks who were also volunteering at the games. Olympic pins from around the world were exchanged along with new friendships and spirit of commitment in the true Olympic Spirit for the future.  The head of spectator services, Evangelos Papapostolou, extended an open invitation to students to visit his island, Evia. Emails and facebooks were also exchanged as we all bonded by making a difference in the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Shortly after the final medal was awarded, students congregated around the Olympic swimming pool for a celebration for volunteers. Each branch of volunteer services was called up to the awards podium and collectively the Journey family stood on the awards podium to receive much deserved recognition. At the conclusion of the ceremony, students jumped in the pool and refreshed as a DJ played music for the pool party.

Once the party was complete, the Olympic Festival continued before students made the way back to Plaka, where they concluded the day with a traditional taverna dinner.

July 4^th

Independence day was a relaxing day for students. As the students had completed their volunteer commitment, students had their first opportunity celebrate with a day at the beach. Students enjoyed the beautiful Athens day at Voula beach, by lounging, swimming, and playing beach volleyball.

Students later returned to their apartments and prepared for a wonderful evening, which featured a taverna dinner and the 2011 Athens Special Olympics World Summer Games closing ceremony. The closing ceremony, held at Panathineum Stadium (the site of the original Olympic Games in 1896), had an electric atmosphere. Music from around the world entertained the Journey family and the wonderful achievements of the Athletes were celebrated.  Famous Greek entertainers including Protopsalti and Glykeria were joined by Korean entertainers, “the Wonder Girls.”  The show concluded with multimedia presentation and reenactment of the continuum of Greek history through music and performance from the Illiad to Theorodakis. The ending march of the athletics each carried a light out of the stadium completed the performance!

The Special Olympics flag was passed to Korea, who Tim Shriver announced in 2013 will host the Special Olympics World Winter games. The night was complete with spectacular fireworks, which was fitting since it allowed the Journey family to celebrate American independence in a fitting way.