Special Olympics: World Games

June 17-25, 2023

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  Review: Maja Dressler (l) from Lebenshilfe Gifhorn cheers alongside Lea Juric from Panoramaschule Frankfurt after her preliminary heat at the Special Olympics 2018, the national summer games for people with intellectual or multiple disabilities.

• Participants present the flag of the National Special Olympics for athletes with intellectual or multiple disabilities in the Sparkassen Arena.

The largest inclusive sporting event in the world is coming to Berlin in 2023!

The Special Olympics World Summer Games for athletes with intellectual or multiple disabilities will be held in Germany for the first time. Around 7,000 athletes from 170 nations will compete in 26 disciplines.

About the Special Olympics

The Special Olympics are comitted to social participation and support the fight against discrimination. Founded in 1968 in the USA, the Special Olympics have become the largest sporting event for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities in the world. The event is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and revolves around more than five million international athletes.

Venues and Disciplines of the 2023 World Games

The Special Olympics World Games will take place at 10 venues in Berlin and Brandenburg. Most of the competitions will take at the Berlin exhibition grounds: Boccia, table tennis, badminton, powerlifting, judo, volleyball, basketball, rhythmic gymnastics, gymnastics, and tennis. Other will take place at Olympiapark: Futsal, roller skating, athletics, field hockey, handball, soccer, and horseback riding. The regatta course in Grünau will be the venue for canoeing, open-water swimming, triathlon and rowing competitions. Fans of beach volleyball will head to BeachMitte, while cyclists will race on Straße des 17. Juni. The Basketball 3x3 will take place at the Neptune Fountain, also the site of the accompanying festival. Swimming will be held in the swimming and diving hall of the Europasportpark. The sailing competition will take place on Wannsee lake. Other location are the Bowling World at the East Side Gallery (bowling) and the Golf Club Bad Saarow (golf).

At a Glance

• Event: Special Olympics World Games
• Location: Olympiapark, Messe Berlin, Wannsee, Grünau and others
• Start: 17 June 2023
• End: 25 June 2023
• Tickets: not available on Berlin.de yet