| 2009 Special Olympics Great Britain National Games | |
| Host City: | Leicester |
| Athletes: | 2,422 |
| Opening: | 25 July 2009 |
| Closing: | 31 July 2009 |
| Stadium: | Walkers Stadium |
The 2009 Special Olympics Great Britain National Games were held in Leicester between the 25 and 31 July 2009.[1]
Over 2,400 athletes representing 19 Special Olympics regions across the UK have visited the city of Leicester over the seven-day period along with 1,200 coaches and 1,500 volunteers.
2,422 athletes competed in 21 Olympic style competitions across the city. The city of Leicester have also recruited about 1,500 volunteers to participate in the Games.
Leicester's landscape has changed dramatically since the city first hosted the Games in 1989. From the rich diversity of its population, to the magnificent ongoing 3 billion regeneration programme, Leicester was a city rising to the challenge on many fronts.
A host of celebrities have already offered up their support to the Games next year including Martin Johnson, Gary Lineker, Leicester Tigers, Leicester City FC, and Leicestershire CCC.
Walkers Stadium, home of Leicester City Football Club, was used for the Opening Ceremony and the Games Village. Sailing was held at Rutland Sailing Centre and Kayaking have taken place at the Anglian Water Site. Leicestershire County Cricket Club were used for Kwik Cricket. Other venues included Abbey Park (cycling), Braunestone Leisure Centre (swimming), New College Leicester (gymnastics), Hollywood Bowl (ten pin bowling), Saffron Lane Sports Centre (athletics) and Soar Valley College (netball).
The full list of competition venues was as follows:[2]
| Venue | Sports | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Ceremonies and games village | Walkers Stadium | |
| Athletics | Saffron Lane Sports Stadium | |
| Badminton | Babington Community College | |
| Basketball | De Montfort University | |
| Boccia | Shree Prajapati Centre | |
| Indoor Bowls | Slater Street | |
| Cycling | Abbey Park | |
| Equestrian | Abbey Park | |
| Football | Goals Soccer Centre and Crown Hills Community College | |
| Golf | Humberstone Heights Golf Course | |
| Gymnastics | New College Leicester | |
| Judo | Leicester Leys Leisure Centre | |
| Kayaking | Anglian Water | |
| Kwik Cricket | Grace Road | |
| Motor Activities Training Programme | Evington Leisure Centre | |
| Netball | Soar Valley College | |
| Powerlifting | Peepul Centre | |
| Sailing | Rutland Water | |
| Swimming | Braunstone Leisure Centre | |
| Table Tennis | Aylestone Leisure Centre | |
| Ten Pin Bowling | Hollywood Bowl, Meridian Leisure Park | |
| Tennis | Knighton Tennis Centre |
The following competitions took place:[3]