The Special Olympics World Games in Berlin are the world’s largest sporting event for people with developmental disabilities. The Norwegian squad arrived in Germany on Monday, to make final preparations before the 2023 Olympics. 43 athletes represent Norway, spread across 10 different sports.
In this group we found 12 handball players.
– It will be quite an adventure for our players and managers. There are many here who have been very happy for a long time, but there are also those who are very happy. That’s how it should be, says team manager and inclusion officer at the Norwegian Handball Association, Eva Skei.
The Special Olympics World Games kick off with the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on June 17. For handball, a classification match then awaits, before teams are allocated for an initial pool game, starting June 20. The finals will be held on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 June.
The Norwegian team won bronze at the Olympics held in Abu Dhabi four years ago, and silver at the Special Olympics Pre-Games trials in Berlin last year. Can the last rung of the ladder be climbed this year?
– That would be really fun – the girls are motivated to give their all. Apart from sporting activities, we hope to bring home many experiences and memories that will last a lifetime from the German capital. “We have a fantastic team, with very motivated players and a good support system, so it’s going to be great,” said Eva Skei.
PS! On the same flight from Oslo to Germany was national team captain Stine Bredal Oftedal, who chatted with the team and wished the players good luck (see image below).
– It’s great for the girls to chat a little with him, said Skei.
The article continues under the pictures.
Squad for the 2023 Special Olympics World Games:
Anne Bråthen, Storhamar
Sara Gregersen Hoel, Brane Tigers
Jeanette Smedtorp, Brane Tigers
Catarina Larsen, Larvik’s Turn
Anita Ryen, Strømsgodset
Nelly H. Kopperud, Strømsgodset
Camilla Leknes Bø, Sotra
Thea Marie Korsvold, Skavøypoll
Ann Kristin Myhre, Bryne
Katrine Simonsen, Greipstad
Ema Bajgoric, Strindheim
Isabell Ho, Lillestrom
Team coach/manager:
Inger Bakken Øyen, Larvik Turn
Espen Helland, Ålgård
Nina Tomteberget, Brande Tigers
Eva Skei, Norwegian Handball Association
Read more about the 2023 Special Olympics World Games
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