Evaluation report Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023
Foreword by Senator for the Interior and Sport Iris Spranger
Unbeatable Together! The motto of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 (SOWG) could not have been more apt. Whether it was media alliances, politics, volunteers, athletes or civil society actors – these World Games, held in Germany for the first time and representing the largest multi-sport event since the 1972 Olympic Games here, showed what can be achieved together.
Regardless of the areas, topics and challenges, everyone worked together to achieve a common goal. It was not only about making the Special Olympics movement better known in Germany and Europe or planning and organising successful Games; it was primarily about focusing attention on people with intellectual and multiple disabilities. To this end, many efforts were made to sustainably utilise the potential of the world’s largest inclusive sporting event.
Numerous projects were initiated that have an impact beyond the games and secure the lasting participation of people with intellectual and multiple disabilities in society. What was achieved in summer 2023 is absolutely unique in Berlin’s sporting history.
It was therefore a great pleasure and honour for me to support this inclusive sports festival as the Senator for Sport. We will talk about this event for a long time to come. Berlin and the world of sport have been enriched with many experiences, impulses and good memories that will undoubtedly have a positive influence on future events.
Senator for the Interior and Sport
Road to the Games
2018
In July 2018, Special Olympics Germany submitted its bid for the World Games to Special Olympics International with support of the state of Berlin and the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community. The special thing about it: a bid concept “by athletes for athletes”. In November 2018, Special Olympics International awarded the World Games to Berlin.
2019
The Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 Organising Committee gGmbH was founded in 2019 as the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the World Games with nine employees.
2020
In January 2020: Ceremonial signing of the Games Agreement with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In addition, the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 project group began its work in the Senate Department for the Interior and Sport.
2021
The Regional Games in Berlin (13 to 15 August 2021) were the first highlight during the preparations for the World Games. Although the event had to be held without spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was still a great start for the more than 500 athletes on their way to the World Games. More than 100 coaches, sports coordinators and over 200 volunteers were on hand at the Sportforum Berlin, the Schwedt Water Tourism Centre, the Big Bowl in Bornitzstraße, the indoor swimming pool at the Europasportpark and the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark to stage competitions in ten different sports.
2022
The Special Olympics National Games Berlin 2022 (10 to 24 June 2022) were a highlight of the 2022 event year, as they served as a qualification for participation in the World Games. 3,685 athletes celebrated an impressive opening ceremony with 11,000 spectators at Stadion an der Alten Försterei. Over the next few days, medals were won in 20 sports, celebrations were held at the Special Olympics Festival at the Neptune Fountain and the whole city became a huge stage for inclusion in anticipation of the 2023 World Games. In addition, seven international teams were already on site, making the National Games the final rehearsal for the World Games.
2023
The World Games mascot “Unity” was announced in March and took the hearts of Berliners by storm. By June 2023, the Local Organising Committee had 279 employees from 43 nations. In a great team effort, they organised a unique major sporting event that will leave its mark on Berlin for a long time to come.
The Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023
The Special Olympics World Games are the world’s largest inclusive sporting event. Thousands of athletes with intellectual and multiple disabilities compete against each other. The games are organised every four years, alternating between the summer and winter games, and were held in Germany for the first time in 2023. Jointly funded by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the State of Berlin, the Special Olympics World Games, which are recognised by the International Olympic Committee, celebrated a colourful and international festival of inclusion in the sports metropolis of Berlin from 17 to 25 June 2023.
The SOWG in numbers
Venues of the World Games
Swimming And Diving Centre
The swimming competitions were held at the swimming and diving centre in the Europasportpark (SSE for short).
City Cluster
The 3×3 basketball, cycling and beach volleyball competitions took place in Berlin-Mitte as well as the Special Olympics Festival at the Neptune Fountain and various highlight events and the big closing ceremony at the Brandenburg Gate.
Messe Berlin
The competitions for badminton, tennis, basketball, boccia, gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, judo, weightlifting, table tennis and volleyball took place at Messe Berlin as well as various congresses for an invited expert audience.
Olympiapark Berlin
The competitions for handball, futsal, football, hockey, athletics and roller skating took place at Olympiapark Berlin. The grand opening ceremony was held at Olympiastadion Berlin.
Bowling World
The bowling competitions took place here.
Wannsee
The sailing competitions took place at Wannsee.
Grünau
The canoeing competitions and open water swimming took place in Grünau.
Bad Saarow
The golf competitions took place in Bad Saarow.
Schedule of the Special Olympics World Games
7 June
Ceremonial lighting of the Special Olympics torch in Athens
Ceremonial lighting of the Special Olympics torch (Flame of Hope) in Athens on 7 June and official welcome of the flame at BER airport in Berlin on 8 June
10 June
Start of the accompanying cultural programme at the Humboldt Forum
Inclusive offers from over 30 Berlin cultural institutions throughout Berlin, such as theatre performances, music events, exhibitions, etc.
12 June
Start of the Host Town programme on 12 June:
In over 200 Host Towns throughout Germany, the delegations acclimatised and got to know the German people and culture. Seven Berlin districts also participated in the Host Town programme with the support of the Senate Department.
15 June
Start of the SO Festival at the Neptune Fountain
Stages with cultural programmes, information and hands-on activities, workshops and many other activities at three locations
17 June
Opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium on 17 June with 50,000 spectators
From 17 June
Global Forum for Inclusion
As part of the World Games, several congresses were held under the umbrella of the Global Forum for Inclusion – Partnering for Action. Representatives from politics, science and Special Olympics athletes worked together to develop new ways and approaches for more inclusion at regional, national and global level.
From 18 June
Healthy Athletes® programme
As part of the Healthy Athletes® programme, all athletes could take advantage of free and targeted medical consultations and check-ups. During the World Games, a total of 15,351 examinations were conducted in the seven health areas of hearing, vision, healthy teeth, healthy diet, happy feet, exercise and mental health – more than ever before at the World Games.
From 18 June
Competitions from 18 June
The athletes showed off their skills in the competitions. Numerous competitions and activities could be visited free of charge:
- Cycling competitions at the Brandenburg Gate
- Street basketball and the Special Olympics Festival in front of Rotes Rathaus
- Competitions in water sports, golf and beach volleyball
From 18 June
Unified Sports® competitions
In 16 sports, competitions also took place as Special Olympics Unified Sports®. This means that people with and without intellectual disabilities competed together, for example in Unified Badminton Doubles.
From 18 June
Unified Sports® Experiences
As well as the Unified competitions, there were also Unified Sports® Experiences: These events brought together Special Olympics athletes, professional and Olympic athletes, dignitaries, celebrities and sponsors to take part in sport together. The goal of this format is to showcase the abilities of Special Olympics athletes and highlight the power of inclusive competition. At the same time, participants get to know each other through sport, becoming aware of the needs and wishes of Special Olympics athletes.
From 18 June
Special Olympics Activity Zone
This is an accompanying sport programme for people of all ages with and without disabilities, encouraging participation in sport and fostering encounters and joint sporting activities among people from different backgrounds.
Until 25 June
Award ceremonies
As is customary at the Special Olympics, all participants were honoured at the award ceremonies. At the Messe Berlin location, these events in the Summer Garden were an emotional highlight for everyone.
25 June
Closing Ceremony in front of the Brandenburg Gate
At the Closing Ceremony, the athletes, their delegations and families, along with volunteers, dignitaries and spectators, celebrated the successes and encounters of the World Games against the impressive backdrop of the Brandenburg Gate. It was a highly emotional and celebratory conclusion, ending with a colourful fireworks display after the flame was extinguished.
Voices on the
Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023
The Berlin sustainability programme Inclusion '23
Due to the significance of the SOWG as the largest inclusive sporting event in the world, Berlin has gained tremendous potential to permanently strengthen inclusion in the city and establish itself as an international and inclusive sport metropolis. To sustainably utilise this potential and support the planning and implementation of the World Games as much as possible, the Senate of Berlin actively supported the bid to host them.
After being awarded the Games, the Senate decided on joint funding with the Federal Government. The Senate of Berlin established a dedicated project group, comprising up to six people, for further work on the World Games. Besides close supervision of the LOC (especially regarding finances, coordination with Berlin stakeholders and content-related issues), the project group’s main tasks were political communication concerning the World Games, internal administrative work and cooperation with the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs.
In addition, the sustainability programme Inclusion ’23 was anchored in the project group. Numerous measures were initiated and supported with the goal of establishing lasting participation structures for people with disabilities in Berlin.
Timeline of Inclusion '23
The three pillars of inclusion '23:
Inclusion '23_projects
Inclusion ’23_projects includes the 14 projects selected by experts and financially supported within the framework of Inclusion ’23. The 14 projects come from the fields of sport, education, transport and culture, with the condition that they create sustainable benefits and the results remain permanently available.
Inclusion through sport
A central contact and advisory centre for inclusion in Berlin sport was established as part of the project. This project was carried out by the Berlin State Sports Association, Special Olympics Berlin and the Berlin Association for Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports. The advisory centre will remain with the Berlin State Sports Association on a permanent basis and will continue to work towards making sport in Berlin more inclusive.
Coordination of inclusive sport assistant training
The Berlin Association for Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports established a coordination centre for training and deploying inclusive sports assistants in Berlin sports clubs, which will continue to exist after 2023. This strengthens the participation of people with disabilities in sport, including in volunteer roles. This project was conducted in collaboration with Special Olympics Berlin and the Berlin State Sports Association.
Inclusive sports festival for Berlin community schools
The community school Grüner Campus Malchow established an annual inclusive sports festival for Berlin community schools involving athletes with and without disabilities. This is already a great, sustainable success: from 2024, the festival will be hosted by a different community school each year.
Inclusive Sport in the Park
The free sport and exercise programme in green spaces of the Senate Department for the Interior and Sport was made permanently inclusive through training for coaches during the World Games. The training will continue in the future, ensuring that new offers from Sport in the Park are also inclusive.
Charlottenburg Palace and Gardens (My Park, My Palace, My Path)
Charlottenburg Palace and its gardens were made more inclusive in cooperation with people with disabilities. For example, an inclusive educational trail was built in the palace garden, making it more accessible to people with disabilities. The palace staff were also made aware of issues concerning people with disabilities.
MusikSchulWerkstatt23+
The pilot project for inclusive music education for people with and without disabilities took place at the Béla Bartók and Fanny Hensel public music schools in Berlin. The project saw inclusive music groups established, numerous music school teachers made aware of the topic and teaching materials compiled for other music schools.
Unbound
This art project was a best practice for an inclusive residency programme for artists with and without disabilities. Various inclusive workshops were held. The highlight was the closing exhibition by the six artists on the theme of connection in Berlin. The insights gained will be summarised in a guide for inclusive art programmes.
READY STEADY GO: Inclusive Museums!
Haus Bastian tested various inclusive educational modules and integrated them into the regular offerings of all museums on Berlin’s Museum Island. For instance, there will be permanent tours in Easy German by inclusive mediator tandems in several museums. There were also inclusive workshops and a cultural festival on Museum Island during the National Games 2022 and the World Games.
Accessible cultural and sporting calendar
The digital and accessible cultural and sporting calendar was designed and implemented in a participatory process, enabling people with disabilities to specifically search for accessible events. It is possible to filter by specific accessibility features.
Fair für Special Olympics
Fair for Special Olympics raised awareness in Berlin schools on the topic of inclusion and the inclusive potential of sport – through school partnerships, inclusive projects at schools, curriculum development and training for teachers. This training has been incorporated into the non-profit educational association EPIZ’s regular offering.
Inclusion '23_impacts
Inclusion ’23_impacts combines the inclusive measures and projects supported or initiated within the programme that did not originate from the interdepartmental working group. Support for these measures was provided through advice, financial support or political backing. Examples of _impacts include:
Embedding inclusion in organised sport in Berlin
- Sustainable structural strengthening of the Berlin Special Olympics State Association (SOBER)
- Advising numerous sports organisations on their path to greater inclusion in sport
- Support of an educational campaign regarding inclusion in sport
Inclusive playgrounds
The SOWG and Inclusion ’23 also initiated development in Berlin in the area of playgrounds, with the topics of accessibility and inclusion becoming more focused within the specialist playground committee of the Berlin Garden Managers’ Conference. The supervisory body is developing a working paper to create a uniform understanding across all districts of the legal framework and the possibilities for designing inclusive playgrounds, thereby setting the course for greater inclusion.
Dance for all
As part of Inclusion ’23, the Berlin State Dance Sports Association, the German Dance Sports Association and the LOC developed inclusive choreography for the “Dance of the Year 2023” to the official Games Song, creating encounters and unique moments before and during the World Games.
Inclusion ’23 x Sustainable EURO
The SOWG’s overall social aspirations will be transferred to future sporting events in Berlin. Selected project partners from Inclusion ’23 will build on their previous project results and continue their inclusive work as part of the Sustainable Euro programme.
School Sports Week meets inclusion
Since 2022, the school sports week has taken place every year as part of a major sporting event. For the School Sports Week 2023, Berlin schoolchildren were able to choose from over 130 sports programmes, many of which focused on inclusion. More than 2,200 students from around 80 schools took part in School Sports Week 2023.
Sporting events in Berlin
Other major sporting events, such as EuroBasket 2022, the 2024 European Men’s Handball Championship and UEFA EURO 2024 have been or will be linked to the SOWG, with a focus on the topic of inclusion. For example, during EuroBasket 2022, there were show matches by Unified Teams (inclusive teams comprising people with and without disabilities), and all 10 Host Cities of UEFA EURO 2024 will conduct inclusive volunteer programmes based on the SOWG model.
Raising awareness among Berliners
The “Inclusion starts with you” campaign raised Berliners’ awareness of the topics of inclusion and participation of people with intellectual and multiple disabilities. The campaign began in 2022 with posters in Germany and Berlin.
In addition, a “serious game” on the topic of inclusion was developed in 2023 to raise awareness about disability in a fun way, first internally within the administration and then also outside the Berlin administration.
Ensuring permanently accessible sailing
For the sailing competitions at the SOWG, the Seglerhaus am Wannsee club built an accessible floating dock. With support from Inclusion ’23, an agreement was reached with the responsible district for the dock to remain after the World Games and be used for inclusive sailing.
Inclusion certificate
Initiation of further training for club managers on the subject of inclusion
Further training for club managers was established in collaboration with the LSB (Berlin State Sports Association) and the Fürst Donnersmarck Foundation. This training takes place for the third time in 2024 and is intended to become a permanent component of the LSB’s further training programme.
Inclusion in the Sports Museum
As part of Inclusion ’23, the Berlin Sports Museum received support in establishing a new collection on the history of inclusive sport.
Grant notification annex in Easy German
Within the Senate Department for the Interior and Sport, the process of sports funding has been made more accessible. Since 2023, grant notification annexes in Easy German have been issued in a pilot project, making the administrative process more accessible.
Inclusion '23_events
Inclusion ’23_events gathers all the actions and events of the programme that brought together actors from politics and civil society in Berlin to discuss inclusion. Examples of _events are:
Senate receptions
These took place as part of the National Games 2022 at the Rotes Rathaus and in the form of the Berlin evening for the 2023 Games at the Museum of Technology.
The presentation of Berlin as a host and as a driver for greater inclusion was at the forefront.
Ambassador reception
To inspire the 170+ participating nations in the run-up to the SOWG and to promote support in their countries, a reception for all the ambassadors of these nations was held at the beginning of 2022.
SOWG 2023 x EURO 2024
To link the two flagship events SOWG 2023 and UEFA EURO 2024 at an early stage, a joint event on sustainability, participation and inclusion was organised at the end of 2022 to identify synergies and initiate joint projects or continue them after SOWG 2023 as part of EURO 2024. One result of the event was the establishment of inclusive volunteer programmes in all Host Cities of EURO 2024.
Host Town Berlin
Seven Berlin districts were Host Towns and welcomed their guests even before the official start of the World Games in Berlin. The districts were supported in the design and implementation of the Host Town programme as part of Inclusion ’23. One of the many highlights of the Host Town programme in Berlin was the cultural evening at the Friedrichstadt-Palast, to which all seven delegations and their “hosts” were invited.
Fireside evenings
These were a series of events that invited exchange and networking on specific topics. They brought together stakeholders from politics and civil society, helping to establish collaborations in the areas of culture and health. The series is set to continue in 2024 with a fireside evening on the topic of inclusion in culture.
Academic evenings
These took place in exchange with universities and colleges to identify and expand thematic interfaces and potential in the scientific context. In addition to scientific support of the SOWG, this exchange also led to numerous volunteer and spectator groups from German universities and colleges.
Legacy programme
Besides the activities within the framework of Inclusion ’23, numerous other measures took place in Berlin and Germany to ensure the long-term impact and social sustainability of the World Games. The actions organised and carried out by the LOC were united under the umbrella of the Legacy programme, which included activities in five areas:
Athlete leadership and engagement
Involving athletes and other people with intellectual disabilities in the planning, organisation and execution of the Games in a respectful and participatory manner. Examples of the numerous measures in this area:
- During the World Games, there were 13 working groups involving a total of 31 people with intellectual disabilities. In addition, the LOC employed 12 staff members with intellectual disabilities, many of them in the primary labour market, making it a best-practice example of inclusion of people with disabilities.
- Extensive measures to make the SOWG the most inclusive Games ever, such as “Easy Maps” for all venues, temporary ramps, “Toilets for All”, an accessible event app, extensive interpretation into German Sign Language and Easy German, accessible audio streams, etc.
- Numerous measures to raise awareness of matters concerning people with (intellectual) disabilities, e.g. monthly digital onboarding for all new employees of the LOC.
Host Town programme
The Host Town programme (12 to 15 June 2023) was a unique project that welcomed international athletes to Germany. Over 200 Host Towns across Germany hosted 176 delegations from all over the world. The municipalities housed their delegations, trained with them and showed them the diversity of German culture. The Host Town programme was the largest municipal inclusion project in Germany’s history, taking place in all 16 federal states and opening up space for encounters beyond the SOWG.
All Host Towns were extensively advised and supported by the LOC, e.g. through webinars, support in designing and setting up structures on site, networking events, constant monitoring, etc. In addition, the regional Special Olympics associations supported the municipalities in particular with planning and implementing the sustainable programmes and measures the Host Towns had applied for. This led to the formation of nationwide networks that continue to work together and carry the idea of inclusion forward. Healthy Athletes®
Healthy Athletes® is the world’s largest inclusive health programme tailored to the needs of people with intellectual disabilities. During the World Games, the programme offered free health screenings and training in seven different health disciplines (foot health, physiotherapy, healthy lifestyles, hearing, vision, oral health and mental wellbeing) for all athletes. The goal of the programme is to improve the long-term health care of people with intellectual disabilities. On the one hand, this is achieved through target group-specific examinations and consultations that increase the athletes’ health literacy. On the other hand, health professionals are trained and made of aware of how to deal with people with intellectual disabilities. The programme also initiates political processes to improve health care.
The 2023 Healthy Athletes® programme was the most successful ever in the history of the Special Olympics World Games. In total, over 15,000 screenings were conducted with nearly 75% of athletes taking part. Over 1,500 pairs of glasses were issued and over 220 people received hearing aids. Numerous partnerships and collaborations with schools, universities and politics were also established.
Government programme
The already established SO Congresses, the Global Athlete Congress and the Global Youth Leadership Summit were complemented for the first time in 2023 by a format with a holistic approach: the Global Forum for Inclusion. This congress brought together participants from the Global Athletes Congress and the Global Youth Leadership Summit with government representatives from around the world, leading economists, scientists, researchers and representatives of civil society to discuss and implement new ways and approaches to embedding inclusion. It was an unprecedented 360-degree approach where people with intellectual disabilities were not only discussed but were actively involved in shaping the programme, content and discussions along with those with other disabilities.
A highlight of the Global Forum was the signing of the Berlin Declaration. The signatory nations committed to actively engage in promoting people with intellectual disabilities and to advance this politically in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Anyone who considers these points worth supporting can still sign the Declaration digitally. Evaluation of the SOWG Berlin 2023 according to the city return model
The city return is a model for evaluating and assessing sporting events in Berlin. It demonstrates the effects and sustainable impacts a sporting event brings for Berlin and sports development in the city. These effects and impacts are measured using more than 70 metrics, which are assigned to the three dimensions of sustainability: economic, ecological and social.
Economic Dimension
The criteria of the economic dimension describe the economic effects of the World Games on Berlin. A distinction is made between key figures for the economic value and for the image and communication impact for Berlin.
The World Games achieved or exceeded the pre-set goals in the economic dimension. Numerous visitors came and contributed to total value creation of €255.1 million. The unique media alliance attracted a great deal of attention to the World Games nationwide and also brought great added value to Berlin as a host.
Economic value creation
in direct value creation
in indirect and induced value creation.
Revenue generated
by the hotel industry
by gastronomy
by public transport
from outside Berlin
the event was the main reason for visiting the city
Visitor expenditure
per day on accommodation
per day on dining outside the event
per day on dining at the event
15 per day on dining at the event
Image and communication
In total, over 400 hours of live sports were produced, plus daily summaries, background and explanatory stories in the main news, magazine and other programme formats, as well as media libraries.
Media alliance
There was a unique amalgamation of 11 leading German media companies. Here, too, the clear goal was to create more attention for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities.
TV and streaming
cumulative range through TV and streaming:
broadcast on TV and streaming (national/international)
TV visibility for Berlin as a sport metropolis through the SOWG
broadcasters (national/international)
markets
broadcasts
watched on TV and streaming (national/international)
Advertising contacts
Social Media
Image Impact
Berliners
Visitors from outside Berlin
*and sustainably improve the participation of people with intellectual disabilities in social life in Germany.
The World Games were perceived very positively by event connoisseurs overall and found to be particularly open-minded, respectful and sympathetic
Ecological Dimension
The ambition to think “green” and reduce the Games’ carbon footprint was a central part of the vision for the World Games in Berlin from the beginning. Therefore, the World Games were designed to use only existing sporting and event venues.
Moreover, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) launched the “Greener Games” initiative to improve the event’s ecological compatibility. This included, for example, a sustainable catering concept, avoiding domestic flights within Germany, actively integrating Berlin’s public transport into the mobility concept of the World Games and optional CO₂ compensation in the online ticket shop.
The ecological compatibility of the World Games was significantly improved by the “Greener Games” initiative. With strategic integration of the initiative into all processes from the beginning, a fixed budget and better communication of the various measures, even more could have been achieved. In addition, some “green” alternatives could not be implemented due to cost reasons.
Climate protection
Over €1,700 was collected for the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union through optional compensation in the ticket shop.
Energy
air conditioning of exhibition halls only during competitions, LED lighting on playing fields, and events in the evening only in exceptional cases, to save energy. Renewable energies were preferred, e.g. in the exhibition centre, 60% of the total consumption was covered by renewable energies.
Circular economy
Water/wastewater
No damages
Noise
Catering
Procurement and merchandising
Mobility
Social Dimension
As the world’s largest inclusive sporting event, the World Games brought enormous potential in the social dimension. The Games and the many accompanying measures put the focus on inclusion and showed what people with disabilities are capable of. Moreover, the Games also demonstrated what a “Unified Generation” can look like. The countless encounters between people with and without disabilities had a significant impact, tearing down imaginary walls and breaking down prejudices. The incredible number of 18,000 volunteers alone hints at the importance of the event in the social dimension. Furthermore, the World Games were a best-practice example of an accessible major sporting event. Now it is important to carry forward the impressions and experiences to make Berlin a permanently inclusive sport metropolis.
Accessibility
“The most inclusive Games of all time!” was the LOC’s goal, both for the sporting events and the accompanying programmes such as the opening and closing ceremonies, the Special Olympics Festival and the preceding congresses.
To achieve this goal, the following accessible services were offered free so that everyone could take part in the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.
Accessible audio stream
Accessible audio stream
Sign language interpretation
Sign language interpretation
Speech-to-text interpretation
Speech-to-text interpretation
Simultaneous interpretation
Simultaneous interpretation
Quiet rooms and prayer rooms
Quiet rooms and prayer rooms
Seating for wheelchair users
Seating for wheelchair users
Easy Maps
Easy Maps
Accessible parking
Accessible parking
Sensory backpacks
Sensory backpacks
Floor coverings
Floor coverings
Accessible toilets
Accessible toilets
Ramps and cable bridges
Ramps and cable bridges
Runner Teams
Runner Teams
Easy German
Easy German
Structural measures
Structural measures
Event ap
Event app
These numerous measures make the SOWG a best practice for an inclusive major sporting event in Germany, especially from the perspective of people with intellectual disabilities. This perspective is often insufficiently considered in everyday life. The World Games provided important impetus here, especially in the fields of access to information, participation in events, orientation and signage systems at all venues, public transportation and digital innovations in leisure and health.
Civil engagement
From Berlin
International volunteers
Would likely volunteer again at the Special Olympics World Games
- An inclusive volunteer programme took place.
- All volunteers received intensive training for their areas of deployment and in dealing with people with disabilities (investment per volunteer of 5-8 hours)
- Trainings also took place in Easy German.
- A tandem volunteer programme, in which 40 tandem teams – each consisting of one person with and one without intellectual disabilities – worked together as volunteers.
School/children/youth sports programmes
Visits from SO athletes
Before the Games, SO athletes visited Berlin schools took part in sport together, among other things.
SO Activity Zone
Hands-on activities in the SO Activity Zone.
School Sports Week
During the 2023 School Sports Week, numerous Berlin sports clubs offered (inclusive) activities for school classes.
Participation
Inclusive and free events
Museum tours, concerts, theatre performances, workshops, etc.
Competitions without tickets
Competitions in the following seven sports were accessible without a ticket: 3×3 basketball, beach volleyball, open water swimming, golf, canoeing, cycling, sailing. This represented 28% of all sports.
Fans in the Stands programme
The Fans in the Stands programme allowed groups of 10 or more people to visit competitions for free, with around 20,000 people taking advantage of this offer.
Sports development
Numerous measures to promote mass sports, e.g. the inclusive family sports festival on 18 June in cooperation with the Berlin State Sports Association with 70,000 visitors, or the hands-on offerings of the SO Activity Zone and the SO Festival.
Awareness-raising effects on socially relevant topics
The World Games and the accompanying sustainability programmes (Inclusion ’23 and Legacy programme) and measures aimed as a whole to put inclusion, tolerance and sport at the centre of attention in Berlin and Germany. In addition, the following measures can be mentioned as examples with significant awareness-raising effects:
Information and hands-on opportunities
Healthy Athletes®, the Special Olympics Festival and the Special Olympics Activity Zone provided a wealth of information and hands-on opportunities on the topic of promoting physical activity.
Inclusive Together
The “Inclusive Together” initiative by SOD includes the Host Town programme and represents the largest inclusion movement in Germany.
Unified Generation
The World Games involved many awareness-raising measures for young people (Unified Generation) on the subject of disability, which reached 114 daycare centres, 477 schools, 141 sports clubs and 12 other youth organisations.
Networking of sport and culture
The Special Olympics Festival offered an extensive cultural framework programme for the SOWG, consisting of four pillars:
SO Festival at the Neptune Fountain
In addition to the free 3×3 basketball competitions, the SO Festival at the Neptune Fountain also featured
Cultural programme throughout Berlin
SO Festival in the Summer Garden
A total of 64 hours of festival with over 25 exhibitors and a large stage for award ceremonies.
SO Festival highlight events at the Brandenburg Gate
Family sports festival on 18 June, concert evening as part of the Berlin Cultural Summer 2023 with an international and inclusive programme, in cooperation with the Berlin Philharmonic, music programme of the Fête de la Musique on 21 June, athletes’ party with an inclusive stage programme on 22 June.
Sustainable impact
of the Special Olympics World Games 2023
The Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 were a complete success for the inclusion movement in Berlin and a milestone in the further successful implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, thanks in part to strong political support. The unique emotions will remain in Berliners’ memories for a long time and the city will benefit sustainably from the numerous positive effects. Moreover, the World Games were a best-practice example of an inclusive and sustainable major sporting event. They have shown that Berlin is one of the leading sport metropolises and have already contributed to making major sporting events in Berlin more inclusive in the future. For example, UEFA EURO 2024 will also have an inclusive volunteer programme with volunteer tandems modelled after the Special Olympics World Games and will see several projects in the Inclusion ’23 sustainability programme developed further. The work in this area is, of course, not yet complete. The SOWG provided great positive impetus, advanced the development of inclusive structures and raised societal awareness of the participation and needs of people with disabilities. Now it is important to continue the work in these areas and use the momentum from the SOWG to further pursue the equal participation of people with disabilities.