A press conference focused on the themes of sport and inclusion, with important local and national institutional figures of Olympic and Paralympic sport as protagonists. The presentation, which took place today in Rome, on the Campidoglio, in the Aula Giulio Cesare, was the occasion to officially launch the WEmbrace Games 2023 event, which will be held on Monday 12 June from 8.00 pm at the Stadio of the Marbles of Rome.
Among the novelties foreseen in this year’s edition, the official announcement of the participation of Francesco Totti, ex-footballer of Roma and the Italian national team, at the WEmbrace Games 2023.
During the meeting, moderated by journalist and TV presenter Ilaria D’Amico, Alessandra Locatelli, Minister for Disabilities, Andrea Abodi, Minister for Sport and Youth, Luca Pancalli, President of the Italian Paralympic Committee, Vito Cozzoli, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sport e Salute SpA, Alessandro Onorato, Councilor for Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion of Rome Capital.
Maurizio Molinari, Head of Office – European Parliament Liaison Office in Milan – also spoke remotely.
Teresa Grandis, President of the art4sport ONLUS Association and Beatrice “Bebe” Vio Grandis, Paralympic foil champion, took the floor to talk about the objectives and meaning of the WEmbrace Games, promoters of the initiative which is now in its eleventh edition. The event will aim to promote inclusion, embracing the concept of “diversity”.
Fundraising is also planned in favor of the art4sport ONLUS association, which aims to study, create and finance the expensive prostheses and equipment necessary for the practice of Paralympic sport.
Also present in the audience were the athletes of the art4sport ONLUS association team Alessandro Sbuelz, basketball player, and Edoardo Giordan, fencer.
The 2023 edition, whose claim is “Let’s change the rules of the game!”, will as always be an evening dedicated to integration and will be conducted by the Medusa Trio, made up of Gabriele Corsi, Furio Corsetti and Giorgio Daviddi. The eight participating teams, coming from all over Italy and abroad, made up of adults and children, with and without disabilities, will be engaged in scenographic and spectacular games of different types. A fusion of fun and healthy competition, between the desire to win and that of not taking oneself too seriously, in a sequence of very demanding races, in which teamwork and collaboration will make the difference.
The evening is open to all and it is possible to book your seat for free at the following link: A free donation to the art4sport ONLUS will be appreciated on site.
Teresa Grandis, President of the art4sport ONLUS Association: “Our commitment to making sport increasingly inclusive finds one of the most significant expressions in WEmbrace. Thanks to the commitment of our partners and all the players involved in the project, we are carrying out a initiative that has already given us important results and which has become a real point of reference in recent years.As an art4sport ONLUS Association, we believe in the value of sport as a therapy and as a factor for social aggregation and we are committed to spreading our vision and to support specifically young people who need support in approaching sports.”
Beatrice “Bebe” Vio Grandis, Paralympic foil champion: “WEmbrace represents our way of interpreting sport, which on the one hand is competition, effort, sweat, but on the other it is also and above all game, fun, an opportunity to meet and stay together. Once again this year we managed to involve many people, adults and children, with and without disabilities, because for us certain barriers exist only to be broken down. We are happy that Francesco Totti has decided to join us, as a Roma fan but especially as a sportswoman I have always considered it a point of reference. The evening promises to be a real party, we are already ready!”
The event is supported by the Main Partners Toyota, Sorgenia, Algida and Rilastil with the support of Intesa Sanpaolo, by the Entertainment Partner TikTok, by the Technical Partners Nike, Jeio, Tassoni and Ottobock, with the High Patronage of the European Parliament and with the patronage of CIP, CONI, Sport and Health, the Municipality of Rome and the Italian Red Cross.
Photo Credit: Bizzi Team