The Special Olympics World Games unites society like no other event can. Here people meet people with and without disabilities from different nations and cultures, with different political opinions and religious beliefs, to overcome prejudice through the power of sports.
Between June 17-25, 2023 in Berlin, Germany, in the same stadium where the Olympics were held before World War II, 35 Israeli athletes with disabilities from seven different sporting disciplines will march proudly alongside 7,000 other athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities from 170 countries. The impact of the games will be felt long before and will reverberate long after the games themselves. The previous games in Abu Dhabi in 2019 created a legacy of policy change, as well as measurable improvements in the status of special athletes.
The World Games are the flagship event of the Special Olympics, an international demonstration of inclusion, acceptance and unity. Every day, throughout Israel, Special Olympics teams train and strive together to smash personal records and overcome individual challenges. At the World Games, the entire Special Olympics movement comes together to watch athletes compete, and to celebrate their victory over the odds.
No other event in the world has the social and emotional impact of the Special Olympics World Games, for the athletes and their families. The experience opens doors to unimaginable possibilities. The games inspire hope and faith in a more inclusive, accepting, understanding and unifying future.
You have the opportunity to be part of the success of the Israeli delegation. The athletes who participate in the Special Olympics return to their countries after the competitions are over and share their experiences and inspiring stories in local communities, schools and youth movements, spreading a message of equality, acceptance, empowerment and the ability to overcome any difficulty and crisis through sports. The message of self-belief is catching on here in a huge way!
Sharon Levy-Blanga, CEO of Special Olympics Israel:
"The Special Olympics athletes will leave a lasting legacy of inclusion and show Israeli society that sports are a path to greater inclusion. And of course, who is more deserving than our own athletes?!”
A Special Olympics of Superheroes
The Special Olympics is a global movement founded in 1968 with the aim of ending discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics fosters acceptance of all people through the power of sports and provides many diverse programs in the fields of education, health and leadership. With more than six million Unified athletes active in more than 190 countries and territories, supported by more than one million volunteer coaches, Special Olympics is active in more than 30 Olympic branches of sports and holds more than 100,000 games and competitions each year.
Support for the Israeli delegation to Berlin
The cost of sending the delegation of Israeli athletes and the team of volunteers who support them to Berlin is very high. Athletes with intellectual disabilities do not receive high profile sponsorships nor adequate support from the state.
This cost includes intensive training expenses before the competition, flight costs, security, accommodation and necessary equipment.
Special Olympics Israel is currently appealing to organizations and companies to sponsor our wonderful delegation to help and financially support the mission.
This is an invitation to take a meaningful and valuable role in supporting _________________ to represent Israel and return with a medal and a sense of pride!
