Special Olympics World Winter Games arrive in Austria

The Games were officially opened at a vibrant ceremony on Saturday, which saw the Flame of Hope lit and competitors pledge the Olympic oath:

An impressive 60 years separate the youngest and oldest competitors, who are eight and 68 respectively.

Austrian president Alexander Van der Bellen said: “It is my hope that after the Special Olympics World Winter Games, the spotlight does not dim, but continues to shine for those with intellectual disabilities, with you serving as a role model in your home countries.”

Canada topped the medal table at the 2013 Winter Games in Pyeongchang with 109 medals (44 gold, 44 silver and 21 bronze).

The Special Olympics, the biggest international sport movement for people with intellectual disabilities, is the vision of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of former US president J.F. Kennedy.