Special Olympics chief of World Games Lee Todd and Special Olympics international board director and athlete Stacey Johnston together signed the 2011 World Games ‘Memorandum of Agreement’ with Yiannis Ioannidis, deputy minister of Culture Responsible for Sports, 2011 World Games Organising Committee president Joanna Despotopoulou, and 2011 World Games Board Member and Special Olympics Hellas athlete Nadia Lianou.
Athens was selected as the host of the 2011 World Summer Games by the Special Olympics International Board of Directors in June 2007. "Major factors in selecting Athens as the site of the 2011 World Games were the magnificent city and its people, the spectacular Olympic venues and their proven track record in hosting international events," said Todd. "Special Olympics Hellas, celebrating its 21st anniversary today, their strong programme and its supporters were also factors in our selection."
The World Games promises to be one of the world's largest multi-sport and humanitarian events in 2011 and will unite 7,500 athletes from more than 170 countries.
The 2011 World Games logo was also unveiled at the signing event.
