22,000 People Apply to Volunteer at Special Olympic World Games Berlin 2023, German Speakers Still Encouraged to Apply

More than 22,000 people have applied to volunteer at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, a reflection of the enthusiasm for the world’s largest inclusive sports event. German speakers and people with local knowledge of Berlin are still encouraged to apply.

There are still limited opportunities available for volunteers in areas that require local knowledge of Berlin and German language skills. Interested parties can apply via the event website.

Out of the 22,000 volunteer applications for the Special Olympic World Games 2023, 4,500 were from Berliners, 8,500 from around Germany and 9,000 from other countries. Applications from Berlin included many groups from schools, universities, sports clubs, and businesses.

Over 1,500 applications came from partners and sponsors of Special Olympics and the World Games. These corporate volunteers have exceptional support from their employers and have been granted supplemental leave to volunteer for Berlin 2023.

Volunteers will lend their time and talents to the 7,000 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners traveling to Berlin and competing in 26 sports during the World Games from 17 to 25 June 2023. Roles for volunteers include welcoming delegations, supporting athletes at sports venues, helping at the Opening Ceremony in Olympiastadion on 17 June, catering, providing Healthy Athletes screenings, driving in the motor pool, assisting media in telling the stories of athletes at the Games, and more.

The World Games commitment to inclusion even extends to volunteering. In the spirit of Unified Sports, more than 100 tandem teams of volunteers will support the event. Tandem teams pair up a volunteer with an intellectual disability with a partner without one.

“We would like to thank all volunteer applicants,” said Albrecht, adding “political leaders, schools, universities, sponsors, and our media alliance have made it clear volunteerism and inclusion have a high value in our society,"

Photo by Nadine Baethke

Broadcaster & Media registration for the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 is now open, Any media wishing to apply for media credential are invited to. The deadline for media registration is 30 April 2023.

Taking place from 17 – 24 June 2023, the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin will be one of the largest sport and humanitarian events to take place that year. Following the Opening Ceremony in the renowned Berlin Olympic Stadium, an estimated 7,000 athletes from over 170 nations will compete in 24 sports across Berlin’s state-of-the-art competition venues. They will be supported by 3,000 coaches and an estimated 20,000 volunteers. The Games will also attract 6,000 family members, more than 2,000 national and international media, and 300,000 spectators.

Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With more than six million athletes and Unified Sports partners and one million coaches and volunteers in over 200 accredited Programs, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and over 100,000 games and competitions every year. Engage with us on: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedInand our blog on Medium. Learn more at www.SpecialOlympics.org.