June 15th, 2004

PRIME MINISTER OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA VISITS SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Adnan Terzic, Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, met with Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics at the Movement’s international headquarters offices on 15 June 2004 while he was visiting Washington D.C., USA.

Terzic, an enthusiastic supporter of Special Olympics, served as Patron of the first-ever Southeast Europe Friendship Games, which took place 24-27 April 2004. Organized by Special Olympics Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Games were the first large-scale Special Olympics event in the region and the largest sporting event to be held in Sarajevo in 2004. Five Hundred Special Olympics athletes from 10 countries participated.

“The Games sent an important message about the readiness of Bosnia and Herzegovina to help and support persons with intellectual disabilities whose existence and needs often are not known by our citizens,” said Terzic. “Our estimates show that around 20,000 persons with intellectual disabilities live in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and such a large number creates an obligation for our country to create systematic solutions to address their needs. I am sure the Games will bring a new perception about the conditions facing persons with intellectual disabilities. The admiration Special Olympics athletes have earned from our citizens will ensure better, more urgent and complete solutions to meet their needs.”

“The fact that four cities [Sarajevo, Mostar, Tuzla and Banja Luka] hosted competitions during the Games gave everyone the opportunity to witness how hard Special Olympics athletes work to give their best and, believe me, this was enlightening message for many in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Terzic. “I am sure that time will create better conditions for persons with intellectual disabilities and I know that, regardless of how long my mandate lasts, I will remain dedicated to creating those conditions for them. Also, I hope that Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to promote the work and successes of Special Olympics Bosnia and Herzegovina and, based on this experience, we hope to have an opportunity to organize European or World Games.”

In the past three years, locally driven Special Olympics Programs in the region have yielded tremendous progress in athlete enrollment and community participation. As a result of these growth efforts, Special Olympics is now recognized as one of the fastest growing sports organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, attracting significant government commitment for the full inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.

Terzic, commenting on his vision of the future of people with disabilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entire region, expressed his hope that those with intellectual disabilities “will have the opportunity to be fully integrated into society, as I discussed with Tim Shriver. Because of the willingness, motivation, dedication and belief in the full realization of their own abilities, Special Olympics athletes can be a role model for all people in the region on how we should look at life.”

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