Hanau becomes the venue for the Special Olympics: sport for everyone!

Hanau becomes the venue for the Special Olympics: sport for everyone!

Things will be really colorful in Hanau from June 23rd to 26th, as the city will host the Special Olympics State Games, Hesse's largest sporting event for people with intellectual and multiple disabilities. Around 650 athletes from different regions will give their best in ten sports. These games are not just a competition, but also a celebration of inclusion that brings together over 1,000 people, including carers and helpers.

The competitions take place at several barrier-free locations in Hanau, including the Herbert-Dröse-Stadion, the Main-Kinzig-Halle and the Heinrich-Fischer-Bad. Sports range from athletics, football and swimming to horse riding, table tennis and judo. In addition, there are also demonstration competitions in 3×3 basketball, hockey and tennis.

A meeting place for community and participation

The heart of the event is the market square in Hanau city center. The opening ceremony will take place here on June 23rd, accompanied by music and the march of delegations. The closing ceremony on June 26th will also be an emotional highlight when the fire is extinguished and the flag is ceremonially lowered.

Particular attention is paid to the “Healthy Athletes” program, which offers health checks for all participants. There will also be discussions on inclusion in sport as well as a cultural program with dance and music contributions. A highlight for the athletes is the athletes' disco on Wednesday evening, where they can celebrate the days' experiences.

A model for inclusion in sport

The importance of such events is undisputed. As the Reporting from RBB24 shows, the Special Olympics, which took place in Berlin and Brandenburg in 2023, will have a lasting impact on the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport. Sven Albrecht, Managing Director of Special Olympics Germany, emphasizes that such events positively change society's perception of athletes. During this time, over 200 municipalities have implemented programs to promote inclusion, which is also a positive development in Hanau.

A survey shows that the population's approval of people with intellectual disabilities has increased. However, there is still a lot to be done: currently only 8% of the 320,000 people with intellectual disabilities in Germany are active in organized sports. The associations' goal is to double this number to 16%.

Historical insights and future challenges

The initiative for inclusion in sport has a long history, as if from one Article from the Federal Agency for Civic Education emerges. The first steps in Germany were discussed in the 1970s; a lot has changed since then, but many challenges remain. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities calls for equal participation in sport, which can be experienced through the Special Olympics.

The upcoming state games not only offer a platform for sporting success, but also the opportunity to promote shared learning and cooperation. Winners can qualify for the 2026 National Summer Games in Saarland and have a chance at the 2027 Special Olympics World Games in Chile. In this respect, the games in Hanau are not just a local event, but an important step towards more inclusion in sport.

All information about the Special Olympics State Games is available on Hanau.de, where further developments to promote inclusion in sport can also be followed.