APPIANO GENTILE – Today the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti showcased an
initiative that is part of the journey that Inter and the Special Olympics have
been taking part in together for several years now.

The Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organisation for
people with intellectual disabilities: with 4.2 million athletes in 170
countries — and millions more volunteers and supporters. As explained by
Alessandra Palazzotti, the Special Olympics national president, the aim is that
of "promoting diversity, since it is a positive value that favours social
inclusion for everyone."

These sentiments were echoed by Bedy Moratti, who spoke for Inter at the
press conference and pointed out the importance of the initiatives carried out
by the Special Olympics, stressing the Nerazzurri’s pride in acting as a global
ambassador for the organisation.

For ten days, Inter hosted ten athletes with intellectual disabilities on
the same pitches that the Nerazzurri use for training. A clinic was held for
the Special Olympics athletes, giving them the possibility to train and play a
match with their heroes.

Today’s activities are part of the initiatives linked to the European
Football Week, from 17 to 25 May and entirely dedicated to football. The event
is taking place in 50 European countries, involving more than 55,000 athletes
both with and without intellectual disabilities.

The game itself was an exciting one, with Giuseppe Baresi of Inter
Forever and Nerazzurri players Zanetti, Guarin, Nagatomo, Jonathan and
Ranocchia. They were all excited to take part in a match with two teams that
included both Inter players and the Special Olympics lads. It then ended with a
penalty shootout, along with plenty of smiles, embraces and photos.