Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Athletes,
Let me welcome you to the sports games for the disabled youth – the Emil Open, this year unusually held in September. The events of recent months have shown how important are the values defining the Emil Open – belonging, collaboration and mutual assistance – for our society. That is why I am very happy that in the end this event could take place and again remind us of what is really important in life.
For myself, these games embody all the feelings that sports should evoke. Sincere joy of movement, sound competitiveness, friendship and desire to self-improve. Each athlete or visitor that I can meet here is brimming with a good temper and positive energy regardless of how they or their favourites are doing in the competition. And in my opinion, this is what it should be like at sports grounds.
This edition is already the ninth one; the Emil Open is thus approaching its first milestone birthday. I hope that this international tradition will keep going and that, same as this year, the organizers will not recede before any obstacle. I would also like to thank them for their hard work and persistence, although I think that the biggest “thank you” for them is the enthusiasm of all participants.
And if you wish to enrich your visit to the games, perhaps with a short trip, be sure to visit the streets of Brno. You can taste something good in some of the local highly-rated cafés and restaurants, visit numerous architectural sights or enjoy the genuine Moravian culture in our theatres and galleries.
Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you a good time here in Brno.
Markéta Vaňková
Mayor of the City of Brno
