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History
In the winter of 1990, a seminar
organized by Special Olympics International and conducted by its
Technical Director of International Alpine Ski, Mr. Jeffrey
Byrne, took place in Argentina to train ski instructors and
volunteers in this area.
That was the start of the First Argentinian Program for Special
Ski in Bariloche, aiming to offer opportunities to disabled
people interested in the practice of this sport.
That dream of integration, which started with 30 persons, has
grown rapidly since then, incorporating more participants,
volunteers and companies compromised with the project.
The Argentinian team took part in the Special Olympics Winter
Games of Austria 1993 and in Canada 1997. The participation was
rewarded with gold, silver and bronze medals that filled with
pride the hearts of the delegation and are the result of the
participants’ personal effort and willingness to get over their
own limitations.
Through the years, the Program has developed into what is now
the Fundacion Desafio Bariloche (Challenge Bariloche Foundation),
devoted to promote the practice of ski among people with
intellectual, physical as well as auditive and visual
disabilities, marrow damage and special needs.
This sport has helped many of them to realize that their
physical or mental limitations should not refrain them from
leading a normal life.
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