The programme offers people with learning disabilities the opportunity to play sport in the same team as those without learning disabilities for sports training and competition.

It is run by the charity Special Olympics GB and will see a series of coaching and competition sessions covering a variety of sports, delivered through sport centres, clubs and communities all over the country.

Amaechi, a Special Olympics GB ambassador and a Commonwealth Games medallist, visited Tower Hamlets College in East London to take part in the first unified basketball session of the initiative, with the sport being one of those supported under the scheme, along with volleyball, table tennis, tennis and sailing.

"Unified sports programmes will play a valuable role in breaking down the barriers to sport that exist for people with learning disabilities enabling them to compete in popular sports on the same team as those without learning disabilities; and in an environment that promotes equality and inclusion," Amaechi said.

"With such a great range of sports to choose from now everyone can get involved."

The addition of new sports to the initiative builds on the success of the charity's Unified Football programme which has established itself as one of the best inclusive models to benefit and empower people with learning disabilities.


The growth of the Unified Sports programme this year forms part of the long-term partnership between Coca-Cola Great Britain and Special Olympics GB, which aims to make a range of sports more accessible for people with learning disabilities.

"The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are the most exciting opportunities we have as a Worldwide Partner to engage young people and help to build a legacy of increased grassroots sports participation," said Jon Woods, general manager of Coca-Cola Great Britain and Ireland.

"Building on our 34 year history of support for Special Olympics GB by helping them expand their Unified Sports programme, we hope to make it easier for people with learning disabilities to take part and compete in sport in their communities and to inspire young people everywhere – with and without learning disabilities – to participate together."

Karen Wallin, the chief executive of the Special Olympics, added: "With such an exciting year of sport ahead, young people around the country are being inspired to take up new sports, but for the 1.2million people in the UK with learning disabilities it's not always easy to take part as they can often encounter exclusion and discrimination.

"The model of Unified Sports – bringing together athletes with and without learning disabilities – has been proven to overcome these difficulties and promote social inclusion."

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