Formentera sports stars put inclusion centre stage
Three leading Balearic athletes shared stories of barriers overcome at the Antoni Blanc sports centre in Formentera on 23 September. Joan Llaneras, a double Olympic and seven-time world track cycling champion, joined artistic gymnastics world champion Elena Gómez and indoor athletics European champion Mateu Cañellas at the Mirall esportiu event. The Government of the Balearic Islands promotes the initiative, which focuses on sport as a route to inclusion, equality and personal progress.
The athletes spoke about their elite careers and the difficulties they had faced. They also set out how taking part in sport can help break down social and personal barriers.
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Jaume Bauzá opened the event alongside Sports Director-General Joan Antoni Ramonell and Formentera Council president Óscar Portas. Bauzá said sport goes beyond competition, passing on values including effort, teamwork, respect and discipline, as well as the ability to get back up after adversity.
The department will take the programme on to other municipalities and islands, with the aim of encouraging healthy sport and the spread of those values among the public.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com