The Special Olympics World Games 2023 in Berlin ended on Sunday with impressive numbers and correspondingly enthusiastic voices from the organizers, participants and politicians.
More than 330,000 fans, almost 20,000 volunteers, almost 7,000 athletes from 176 nations and 1,200 referees in 26 sports – who this Sunday evening with a big final party at the Brandenburg Gate (8.15 p.m. in the RBB live stream) The Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, which are coming to an end, have raised the topic of inclusion in Germany to a new level over the past nine days.
Great satisfaction for all involved
“The most important message is that we have given the athletes a platform that has not previously existed at Special Olympics“, said Sven Albrecht, Head of Special Olympics Germany (SOD) and the organization of the World Games for the Mentally and Multiple Disabled. In addition, the German athletes contributed to enthusiasm and public attention with numerous best performances and over 150 medals.
“From a sporting point of view, we can be more than satisfied“, said head of delegation Tom Hauthal. In addition, the organizers felt vindicated in their choice of competition venues, some of which were in the middle of the capital. “You felt like a star“, enthused beach volleyball player Kaya Schöbel.
The grandstands were often full and the fans were always enthusiastic – that was what characterized the days of the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.
Chancellor Scholz feels “very peaceful, Olympic mood”
Cheering athletes, euphoric fans and exciting competitions – the Federal Chancellor’s conclusion was also clear: The World Games for people with mental and multiple disabilities were a complete success. Olaf Scholz was fascinated. “A really great event. It’s very exciting to see the athletes who participate here and who are very committed and totally involved.” He felt a “very peaceful, very olympic mood“, emphasized the SPD politician, who had attended a handball game in the hall instead of athletics at short notice because of the constant rain.
For Christiane Krajewski, President of Special Olympics Germany (SOD), the opening ceremony with 50,000 spectators in the Olympic Stadium was groundbreaking for the following days. “The opening ceremony brought me to tears and that has not changed during the week“Said the former Saarland Minister of Health: “This is a moment that will be remembered for many years to come. I’m relieved that everything went well.”
A “double boom for inclusion”
Development Minister Svenja Schulze hopes that the Berlin World Games will lead to sustainable progress in terms of inclusion. “It was a week full of impressive sporting achievements“said the SPD politician: “But the greatest achievement for me is that the games have brought the issue of inclusion into people’s minds and hearts. All people must be able to participate in social life.”
It applies after the end of the games, “ito further advance our commitment to inclusion at home and around the world“, explained the Federal Minister: “There are around a billion people with disabilities who are still receiving far too little attention. We want to change that and break down barriers together, also in people’s minds.”
Juliane Seifert, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of the Interior, spoke of a “Double boom for inclusion” and underlined: “We need to take the momentum, joy and feasibility with us and ask ourselves how we can help to become more inclusive.”
The Olympic Stadium was the scene of the emotional opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games 2023 in Berlin
New impetus for Olympic bid 2036
The World Games should also serve as a model for more inclusion at the upcoming major events in Germany and Berlin – especially with a view to the European Football Championship next year. In the same way, politicians in Berlin and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) should take note of the results of the Special Olympics with benevolence. They should only be the beginning. For 2036, exactly 100 years after the Nazi Games, an application for the Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games is planned.
The World Games could”exemplary for other major sporting events” be, said SOD President Krajewski. She hopes that the “process” really picking up speed. “With this major event, we also showed that the Olympic Games are possible in Berlin“, added Berlin State Secretary Nicola Böcker-Giannini. The Special Olympics World Games are meanwhile moving on. In 2027 the games will take place in Perth, Australia, two years earlier the Winter Games will be held in Turin and Piedmont.