Special Olympics global impact: 5M+ athletes, 1M+ coaches, 100K+ events, 32 sports, 170+ nations
The Special Olympics World Games are the largest inclusive sports event in the world. Thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities competed in 26 different sports. For nine days, exciting and inspiring competitions were on the agenda, by athletes and for athletes.
From June 17 to June 25, 2023, the Special Olympics World Games took place in Berlin.
Kristin Podewils
Published on September 28th, 2022
In this Success Story:
The Challenge
In early 2021, SPORTFIVE was awarded a 4-year mandate to develop, manage and lead the commercial program for the Berlin 2023 Special Olympics Organising Committee and Special Olympics Deutschland. The objectives are to help drive the social and financial legacy of the Games by enhancing the long-term financial stability of and awareness for the Special Olympics Movement in Germany. Funds go toward the staging of the World Games, participation of the Team SOD (or Team Special Olympics Deutschland) and Special Olympics Deutschland, supporting investments in sport and health-care for the intellectually disabled, and creating a more inclusive society around Germany – on the field of play, in the workplace, in schools and beyond.
The SPORTFIVE solution
Building off the agency’s 35 year history in multi-sport and major event commercial management, SPORTFIVE will generate revenue for the Special Olympics Movement in Germany by bringing its proven capacity to engage brands with partnership solutions that help companies achieve a vast array of business objectives. SPORTFIVE’s mandate began with developing the commercial strategy and is focused on revenue generation and servicing to over 30 sponsors.
Inclusion in Germany
In an increasingly aware and inclusive society, voices calling for greater opportunities for people with disabilities in Germany are becoming more prominent. These results are evident from a SPORTFIVE survey conducted in June 2022 with 970 participants.
0%
are in favor of creating more participation opportunities for people with disabilities in Germany
0%
of GenZ are willing to make a personal commitment to people with intellectual disabilities
0%
would like their employer to provide permanent employment to (more) people with intellectual disabilities
The Special Olympics follow this approach consistently: they put the vision of an inclusive society into practice, thereby creating visibility. Special Olympics worldwide support over five million athletes, one million coaches and volunteers, more than 100,000 competitions per year, and 32 Olympic sports through programs in more than 170 countries. This remarkable commitment not only transforms the lives of people with disabilities but also contributes to raising awareness in society about inclusive values.
"Together unbeatable" is the motto of the Special Olympics
"We want to welcome people from all over the world to Berlin. We want to show through the spirit of sport how invaluable inclusion can be for everyone, and how much fun and joy we can have together."
Mark Solomeyer, Vice President Athletes at SOD
