Seiko announced sponsorship of the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria

Seiko Holdings Corporation (Chairman & Group CEO: Shinji Hattori, Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan) (hereinafter referred to as "Seiko") is pleased to announce as the Official Partner of the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The Games will take place from March 14th (TUE) through 25th (SAT) in Austria for people with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics is a global sports organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. We empower people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance.

The Special Olympics World Games are one of the most powerful vehicles for communicating to the world the abilities and gifts of people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics World Games have been held every two years, alternating between Summer and Winter Games since 1968. In the coming 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria, there will be about 3,000 athletes from 110 countries competing in nine sports, and 1,100 coaches and 3,000 volunteers will support these athletes. Japanese athletes who participate in this event will be selected based on their achievements at "The 6th Special Olympics Nippon National Winter Games Niigata 2016" held in February 2016.

Seiko is committed to sponsoring not only top athletes' competitions in Japan and the world, but also the activities carried out by people with disabilities who love sports and make every effort to achieve their best records.

[Outline of the Event]

- Event Name: Special Olympics World Winter Games Austria 2017

- Schedule: Tuesday, March 14 - Saturday, March 25, 2017

- Official Website (Special Olympics): www.SpecialOlympics.org
　　　　　　　　　　　 In Japanese: http://www.son.or.jp/
　　　　　　Winter Games in Austria: http://www.austria2017.org/en