LOPETEGUI RENEWS HIS COMMITMENT TO THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS AS GLOBAL AMBASSADOR

Julen Lopetegui, who became involved in the Special Olympics project four years ago in March 2017, has renewed his commitment as Global Ambassador. Sevilla FC's coach showed his pride in extending his link with the project, highlighting the importance that sport can have in these challenging times: 'More than ever, I feel pride in being the ambassador for the athletes and coaches of the Special Olympics. We all need to come together and feel the power of sport and share experiences to learn and grow. I feel enormously privileged to represent the Special Olympics as their Global Ambassador,' Lopetegui stated.

The Special Olympics holds in great consideration the achievements of Julen Lopetegui in the last years. Rafael Fernández, the head coach of Spain's Special Olympics football team, felt 'it is really important that such a big name like Julen Lopetegui can be the Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics. His values coincide perfectly with ours: dedication, overcoming... He knows what it means to work hard, achieve results and reach your goals without fearing the obstacles life puts in your path.' Garrote, a footballer living in Seville shared Fernández' sentiments: 'Julen is a very professional coach and a top athlete. He loves football, his sport, just as we do. I hope he continues to represent us as ambassador for the Special Olympics for a long time.'

Evangelista: 'Lopetegui is an incredibly influential ambassador in the world of football'

The President and General Director of Special Olympics Europa Eurasia, David Evangelista, spoke of Lopetegui's commitment to the organisation: 'It is an honour for the Special Olympics to have Julen Lopetegui be our Global Ambassador. His professionalism, his experience and his profound commitment to the principles of inclusion through sport make him an incredibly influential ambassador in the biggest sport in the world, football. Furthermore, Julen Lopetegui continues underlining and helping the impact of Special Olympics athletes, not only in their performance on the pitch, but also in their lives off of it. We are delighted to announce Julen's support and leadership as Global Ambassador to the Special Olympics movement.'

Lopetegui also displayed his thanks to Niall Guite, a passionate football fan, artist and athlete for Special Olympics Great Britain and Northern Ireland, who sent Julen a drawing of the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán during the first lockdown as a show of appreciation for the coach's support for the movement.