site.btaPresident Awards Bulgarian Participants in 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games

President Rumen Radev awarded a certificate of merit here on Thursday to the Bulgarian athletes, who took part in the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin. Bulgaria's athletes won 19 medals: 5 gold, 5 silver and 9 bronze.

The competition, which took part between June 17 and 25, saw more than 7,000 athletes from 190 countries compete in 26 sports. Bulgaria was represented by 39 participants competing in nine sports: athletics, bocce, badminton, equestrianism, swimming, powerlifting, tennis, basketball and field hockey.

Radev awarded certificates Special Olympics Bulgaria Director Hristo Hristozov and equestrian medallist Viktor Hristov. The President said that it was a privilege to be in the presence of so many champions and medallists. He said: "You have shown that you carry the indomitable Bulgarian spirit and that our young people and athletes are among the best ambassadors of Bulgaria to the world".

The Head of state pointed out that Special Olympics has established itself as one of the biggest sports movements in the world. Addressing the athletes, he said: "Your successes lead to more rights, to more inclusion of people with differences in their development, and we are proud of what you are achieving and doing".