Doha: The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) have announced the appointment of leading Italian para-athlete and former European record holder in the 100m (T43 category) Giusy Versace as a Save the Dream Ambassador.
Following on from a successful four-day visit to Qatar, which included a prominent role in the 2013-14 Schools Olympic Programme Paralympic Day Festival, Giusy’s appointment as a Save the Dream ambassador will see one of Italy’s leading para-athletes participate in a range of educational workshops and international events to raise awareness of disability sport and promote sport integrity.
Giusy’s appointment will also see her join the Save the Dream Athletes Integrity Panel – an elite panel lead by football legend Alessandro Del Piero that will feature several high-profile professional athletes from different sports and regions around the world.
Speaking on her new role, Giusy Versace said: “I am delighted to be joining Save the Dream and would like to thank the Qatar Olympic Committee and the International Centre for Sport Security for giving me this opportunity to educate and inspire young athletes around the world.
“Raising awareness of the many challenges that young people with a disability face and promoting clean, fair sport are topics that are close to my heart.
“Through Save the Dream, I look forward to sharing my experiences in sport with many young people around the world and hopefully I can inspire them to achieve their dreams and realise their full potential.”
HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, the Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary General, said at this occasion: “We are pleased to have Giusy Versace on Save the Dream Athletes Panel. We are happy that such an outstanding Paralympic athlete has joined the “Save the Dream” team. We are sure that Versace will highly contribute to the success of our initiative aimed at spreading the positive values of sport among young people”.
Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said: “As a leading athlete with a disability and passionate spokeswoman, Giusy embodies the spirit and values of Save the Dream and her story is an inspirational tale of how sport can be used to overcome adversity.
“Her passion for sport, as well as her dedication to raising awareness about the challenges young athletes with a disability face, has already inspired many. The ICSS is truly delighted to have Giusy as a Save the Dream Ambassador.”
Giusy Versace
