On Sunday, 15 September, it is not only the Women Junior and Men Elite who will be competing for the European title. EK Limburg 2024 vzw and Special Olympics are teaming up for a historic first! For the first time, Special Olympics athletes from all over Europe will have their own race in the European Championships programme.
The collaboration between the European Championships organisation, Special Olympics Belgium and Special Olympics Europe Eurasia has brought about a unique para-sports event for people with an intellectuel disability on Sunday, 15 September. The Special Olympics athletes will be taking part in an official international race. To have such a place in an official programme of a major championship is exceptional, which is why a real European Championships weekend awaits the participating athletes, with a visit to the velodrome in Heusden-Zolder the day before their race.
Practical info
When: Sunday, 15 September
Starting time: 14:45
Distance: 5.1 km
Start & finish: official European Championships finish on Koning Boudewijnlaan in Hasselt
Course
At the time the Men Elite are completing their 3 laps of the Limburg Loop, the city course in Hasselt will be available, providing the Special Olympics athletes with a unique opportunity to compete in their own event in front of all the attending fans. The Special Olympics race will take about 45 minutes, using a local loop (5.1 km) that largely corresponds to the Hasselt loop of the European Championships course. The athletes finish under the official finish arch of the UEC Road European Championships.
Participants
No fewer than 50 athletes from various European countries have indicated that they want to take part. After the race, we will honour all participants on the official European Championships podium. In the run up to the race, you can check the official list of participants on this page. Will you join us in cheering them on in Limburg’s provincial capital?
Saturday programme
The day before their race, the Special Olympics athletes, along with 12 European delegations, will visit the brand-new Velodrome in Heusden-Zolder. Beginning at 14:30, the programme features:
- Initiation on the track
- Divisioning (more info to follow)
- Briefing for the race on the following day
