Photograph by Fabio Cetti
In a historic step towards a extra inclusive society, Romania’s Chamber of Deputies authorized in June 2025 a draft legislation that amends and dietary supplements Legislation no. 69/2000 on Bodily Training and Sport, establishing new authorized foundations for increasing entry to sports activities for folks with disabilities, particularly these with mental disabilities.
The newly adopted laws, now awaiting promulgation by the President of Romania, promotes inclusive sports activities participation and formally acknowledges the Particular Olympics motion inside nationwide coverage. Most notably, the legislation introduces crucial provisions to make sure tailored sports activities are accessible to people with all sorts of disabilities, addressing limitations of the earlier framework.
This vital reform is the results of sustained advocacy led by the Particular Olympics Basis of Romania underneath the challenge “LEADERS THROUGH SPORT—Advocacy Program for Individuals with Mental Disabilities.” The initiative is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway via the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021 by way of the Lively Residents Fund Romania.
Member of Parliament Arina Moș performed a key position within the legislative course of, impressed by her direct involvement with athletes with Down syndrome in Bihor County and her current expertise on the 2024 Particular Olympics Romania Nationwide Video games in Oradea. Moved by the fervour and willpower of the individuals, Moș championed the initiative in Parliament, advocating for structural change to enhance entry to sport for folks with mental disabilities.
“This legislation isn’t just a coverage change, it’s a message of respect, equality, and alternative,” mentioned Particular Olympics Romania Nationwide Director Cristian Ispas. “It paves the best way for a society the place folks with mental disabilities can thrive in sports activities, facet by facet with their friends.”
Key Impacts of the New Legislation
- Broadened Accessibility: The revised legislation ensures folks with all sorts of disabilities, not solely bodily impairments, have formal rights to take part in tailored sports activities.
- Recognition of Particular Olympics: For the primary time, the Particular Olympics motion and its distinctive mannequin of inclusive sports activities obtain formal recognition in Romania’s authorized framework.
- Supportive Infrastructure: The legislation outlines the necessity totally free entry to inclusive sports activities amenities, specialised gear, certified coaches, and aggressive platforms that align with Particular Olympics rules.
The Particular Olympics Basis of Romania, with over 20 years of expertise and a community reaching greater than 27,000 folks with mental disabilities nationwide, has lengthy demonstrated how transformative sports activities could be. Their work contains organizing a whole lot of competitions throughout all ranges in Romania and representing the nation in 11 Particular Olympics World Video games, alongside athletes from over 190 nations.
Past competitors, sport empowers folks with mental disabilities to construct important bodily and social abilities, enhance well being outcomes, foster independence, and create lasting friendships.
As soon as signed by the President and printed within the Official Gazette, the legislation will come into power three days later, ushering in a brand new period for incapacity sports activities in Romania.
