Princess Benedikte of Denmark and Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg has opened a new fitness centre for Parasport in Gladsaxe Municipality. After cutting the red ribbon for the new centre, “Gladsaxe MultiFitness”, Her Royal Highness was shown around the centre, which is located in an area with housing for people with disabilities.
During the tour of the gym, Princess Benedikte spotted a treadmill, and she was so excited about it that she immediately jumped on it. However, the treadmill was not set in motion; but instead, the Princess was shown how it works. A special safety measure had been taken so that those using it did not risk falling off.
The Princess was happy to be able to support the fitness centre, which is only the third of its kind in Denmark. Her Royal Highness said: “I think it is a fantastic initiative that Gladsaxe Municipality has taken, and I hope that many others will do it as well. It is so important that those who have a disability also have the opportunity to move and become stronger, because then you will be happier. You become happy to move, and now you get the opportunity to do it with others.”
Princess Benedikte is the patron of Parasport Denmark, which is a special association under the Danish Sports Confederation. Gladsaxe Municipality has transformed an old machine house into a new fitness centre, making it possible for people with reduced mobility to exercise on an equal footing with everyone else. The project has been carried out in a collaboration between the association Gladsaxe MultiFitness and Gladsaxe Municipality as part of the campaign “Fitness for all”.
Gladsaxe Multifitness is run by an independent board consisting of volunteers, and the centre works closely with Gladsaxe Municipality. The purpose of this organisation is to create an inclusive and accessible training environment. The fitness machines have thus been developed so that people in wheelchairs can also use them, and disability-friendly facilities have been established inside and outside the centre.
