sport🇨🇮 Côte d'Ivoire
Yamoussoukro hosts Special Olympics National Games 2026, preparing Ivorian athletes for 2027 international competition in Chile
Yamoussoukro hosted the Special Olympics National Games 2026 on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the Scientific High School. The event brought together intellectually disabled athletes from various Ivorian communes. The competition, themed "Sport, disability, social inclusion," was organized in collaboration with the SIFCA Foundation and Special Olympics Côte d'Ivoire SOCI. It served as a crucial preparatory stage for Ivorian athletes aiming for the upcoming international events in Chile in 2027. Participants showcased their talents and determination across multiple sports, including basketball, athletics, football, swimming, golf, petanque, and volleyball. Beyond the sporting aspect, these National Games provided a framework for preparation and talent detection, allowing athletes to enhance their skills, gain competition experience, and progressively prepare for the Special Olympics Games in Santiago, Chile. The event fostered an atmosphere of conviviality, solidarity, and emulation, concluding with the awarding of several prizes. Innocent Youté, President of the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Côte d'Ivoire, thanked authorities, partners, coaches, referees, and volunteers for their contributions. He emphasized that the Games aim to combat prejudice and enable athletes to demonstrate their capabilities, urging participants to uphold Special Olympics values and families to offer constant support. Mr. Anassin Marcelin, representing the Ministry of Sports, commended the organ
