The Special Olympics World Games in Berlin are in full swing. Those responsible for the German team are happy about an all-round successful start. This is by no means only due to the many medals her protégés have won.
After the first few days at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, the German team drew a positive interim conclusion. In addition to the sporting successes, it is particularly nice to see “how our athletes thrive here and what development they make,” said Franziska Weidner, national trainer for athletics, swimming, cycling and triathlon. “It’s a unique event for them to be at the World Games. Being able to compete in their own country is an extra big motivator and socially extremely important to show who they are and what they’ve got.”
Great success in swimming
On the third day of the competition, the German track record had continued, for example in the water. 21-year-old Elvira Amirov from Neckarsulm secured gold over 50 meters breaststroke in 45.81 seconds on Tuesday morning (June 20, 2023), Kristine Koch from Mönchengladbach (46.42) won silver.
Elvira’s twin sister Inna is also aiming for the gold medal in the freestyle and backstroke disciplines. Both are coached by Daniela Potocean, who competed as a swimmer for Romania at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico. The day before there had already been two gold medals for the German team in the open water with Kai-Jürgen Pönisch and Patrizia Spaulding. A total of nine medals jumped out for the German delegation on Monday.
Annika Meissner won the first German medal at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin on Monday.
“Great fun to be cheered on”
The track and field athlete Annika Meissner won the first of these – silver over 5,000 meters. The 36-year-old from Hesse had “expected something else”, but not necessarily another silver medal after her second place at the national games last year: “It’s just as great as a gold medal. It feels very good.”
And Meissner stays hungry. “Get gold once” is her great wish, which she also puts into perspective: “If not, then it’s not so tragic. The main thing is that I was able to show that I could get everything out. It’s great fun to be cheered on. I love it strength for the final.”
audience response agrees positively
Regardless, head of delegation Tom Hauthal stressed that medals were not the focus of the World Games for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities (until June 25). The goal is for everyone to “really do their best,” says Hauthal: “It’s not the right way to judge performance based solely on medals.”
The response from the spectators at the competition venues is also positive for those responsible. At the 3×3 basketball on Monday evening, the spectator stands were full. “If someone had told me that five years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it,” said Hauthal. With more than 400 athletes, the hosts form the largest team at the World Games for people with mental and multiple disabilities (until June 25).
The schedule of the Special Olympic World Games in Berlin at a glance.