Photos: Sergio Betancort
This Wednesday the VIII edition of the Adapted Olympics of the IES Playa Honda took place, which brought together a total of 180 athletes from 23 schools on the island on the town's avenue.
At around 9:00 a.m. the opening ceremony of the games began, in which all the athletes were able to parade behind their flag bearer as is customary in the Olympic Games. In addition to the educational centers of Lanzarote, on this occasion two centers from Gran Canaria also participated.
Once the parade was over, the six planned athletic events were developed throughout the morning, both on the avenue and on the beach. These tests included foot races, skateboard races, distance and precision throwing, jumping tests and agility exercises.
The participants were divided by age groups which, in turn, according to the level of adaptation of the athlete, were divided into three categories. The sports tests were designed specifically for these Adapted Olympics by the teachers and students of the Higher Level Training Cycles of Physical Conditioning and Teaching and Socio-Sports Animation of the IES Blas Cabrera Felipe.
At 12:00 noon, once the sports tests were over, the delivery of medals and diplomas to the participants began on a podium installed for the occasion on Playa Honda Avenue. Likewise, a manifesto was read in which all athletes and attendees were encouraged to "live our effort, overcoming, coexistence, fun and illusion."
An "inspiring and integrating" event
The Adapted Olympics of the IES Playa Honda began in 2013 with only 80 participants. Eight editions later, this integration event has been consolidated in the calendar. The mayor of San Bartolomé, Alexis Tejera Lemes, wanted to thank "the commitment of the IES Playa Honda, and of all those who are part of the Adapted Olympics, for developing such an inspiring and integrating event that helps to overcome any type of barrier and that, without a doubt, lays the foundations for coexistence."
For Alma González Mauri, Councilor for Education of the City Council, "this test has once again confirmed that it is an opportunity for the students of the island, which integrates and generates coexistence among the students through sports." In addition, she expressed "her deep gratitude to the organizers and to all those who have made it possible."
The island director of Education, Celeste Callero, and the Minister of Sports of the Cabildo, Francisco Aparicio, were also present at the event, as well as other councilors from the San Bartolomé City Council.
