The 12th Emporion Games will start in Olot, Garrotxa, on Friday, 15 May, with events for both seniors and children, according to Olot officials. The weekend-long programme includes 22 activities across eight municipalities in the Garrotxa region, primarily aimed at children.
The opening day will also feature a round table discussion in Girona focusing on women in sport. The games, which run until Sunday, 17 May, aim to promote sports culture and healthy habits among schoolchildren and the general public.
Eight municipalities are participating this year: Olot, les Preses, Sant Joan les Fonts, la Vall d'en Bas, la Vall de Bianya, Besalú, Santa Pau, and Argelaguer. Argelaguer joined at the last minute to host part of Saturday's handball activities.
Promoting Sport and Healthy Habits
The Girona Provincial Council organises the event, with support from the Generalitat's Territorial Representation of Sport and technical coordination from Girona's regional sports councils. The games use competitive and recreational activities to encourage participation.
The opening day in Olot will begin at 10am with two simultaneous events: a sports gathering for seniors at Parc Nou and a multi-sport day for children at Parc Atlètic Tossols.
In the afternoon, at 6pm, the focus shifts to Girona. For the second consecutive year, the Casa de Cultura of the Girona Provincial Council will host the 'Emporion Lives' round table. Journalist Clara Jordan will lead the discussion, which centres on the role of women in contemporary sport.
Speakers will include Anna Jòdar, physical trainer for Spar Girona (Women's Basketball League), Montse Hugas, former technical director of Salt Gimnàstic Club, and Irene Coll, a personal trainer and researcher. The discussion is co-organised with the University of Girona's Chair of Sport and Physical Education and will be broadcast later by TV Girona.
New Activities and Inclusivity
This year's games introduce table tennis and a gathering for the 'More Active' programme, which combats sedentary lifestyles and childhood obesity through free physical activity sessions. Other sports featured include volleyball, skating, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, and athletics.
On Saturday, les Preses will host the 'Barça activa't' activity, part of FC Barcelona Foundation's social inclusion programme, in which the Girona Provincial Council participates. Sunday morning will see adapted football and basketball activities in Sant Joan les Fonts.
The Emporion Games started in Figueres in 2014. Over the past eleven editions, they have attracted more than 50,000 participants from across the Girona province.
