Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI) are excited to welcome Special Olympics and the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 as the organisation’s newest members.
“We are thrilled to welcome Special Olympics and the World Games Berlin 2023 as our newest members,” said Geert Hendriks, SandSI Founding Director. “We look forward to working together to develop a more inclusive and sustainable environment for all sports, athletes, fans and communities to enjoy worldwide.”
Key to achieving SandSI’s mission is partnering with organizations like Special Olympics and Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 to create a more inclusive and sustainable field of play for future generations.
“Special Olympics has embodied the spirit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. For more than 50 years, Special Olympics has been reducing the inequalities faced by people with intellectual disabilities all over the world. We are delighted to partner with SandSI to network with other international sports organisations and learn about the good practices already under way to promote greater sustainability. This will enable us to ensure all of our sport, health, youth, schools and leadership activities make an even greater contribution to a more just, inclusive future.”
“From the very beginning we are aiming at leaving a lasting legacy with the creation of a sustainable sports event. That is why we are more than happy to team up with SandSI”, says Carsten Kranz, Chief Operating Officer of the Local Organizing Committee of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023. "To achieve a real change of the society through sports we will always follow one essential rule: by athletes and for athletes.”
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement that uses the power of sport to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities and create a more inclusive world for all. The mission of Special Olympics remains as vital today. Set to take place in June 2023, Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 will welcome 7,000 athletes and Unified partners from 170 countries and territories.
Founded in 2017, SandSI seeks to accelerate sustainability in and through sport, aligning its activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SandSI’s global membership is comprised of sport and non-sport entities as well as individuals representing 40+ countries, across all continents.
The powerful partnership between Special Olympics and the World Games Berlin 2023 will leverage sports to inspire change and create a more accepting, inclusive sustainable Games—and world—for all.
About Sport and Sustainability International
Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI) is a non-for-profit Swiss association with headquarters based in Lausanne. Founded in 2017, SandSI seeks to accelerate sustainability in and through sport, aligning its activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
A global membership organisation, SandSI’s current membership is comprised of sport and non-sport entities as well as individuals representing 40+ countries, across all continents.
About Special Olympics World Games Berlin 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.
About Special Olympics
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 in over 190 countries and territories and more than one million coaches and volunteers, 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.
