SOWG 2023

From the Atlantic:

“Scenes From the 2023 Special Olympics World Games”

In Berlin, about 7,000 athletes from 170 countries have gathered to compete in 24 sports during the 2023 Special Olympics World Games. These athletes, individuals with intellectual disabilities, are vying for medals in events including judo, powerlifting, badminton, and bocce. The Special Olympics organization coordinates the games, inviting competitors from dozens of national programs (called SOs) to participate and be celebrated for their accomplishments. From the organizer’s website: “The motto of the athletes of Special Olympics Germany is: ‘Nothing about us without us having a say.’” This year’s event began with an opening ceremony in Berlin’s Olympiastadion on June 17 and will wrap up on June 25. Collected here are glimpses from the events.

(The German delegation arrives in the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on June 17, 2023.)

(Annabelle, a 13-year-old artistic gymnast, and her father, Markus, are pictured marching with the German delegation during the parade of athletes in the Olympiastadion on June 17, 2023.)

(Germany's Sophie Rensmann lights the Special Olympics cauldron during the Opening Ceremony on June 17, 2023)

(Toup Nasukdee of Laos reacts prior to his 50-meter men's semifinal at the track-and-field competition during day two of the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin's Hanns-Braun-Stadion, on June 18, 2023.)

(A view of the action during the handball match between SO Denmark (red) and SO Hungary (white) on June 21, 2023, in Berlin)

(Sarah Ghandoura of Saudia Arabia interacts with a volunteer prior to the 100-meter freestyle level-A quarterfinal during day two of the Special Olympics World Games.)

(Leo Heckel and Adrian Schlueter of Germany compete in the 1500-meter Unified Sports open-water swimming competition during day three, June 19, 2023, at Berlin's Regattastrecke Grünau.)

(Lola Kuchkorova of SO Uzbekistan performs during the rhythmic gymnastics level-2 all-around competition on June 20, 2023.)

(Eleni Tilkeridou of SO Hellas competes during the level-3 all-around rhythmic-gynmastic event in Berlin on June 20, 2023)

(From left: Tsilisehang Letuka from Lesotho, Christopher Jaquet from Paraguay, Alec Baldwin from Canada, Christopher Lewis from Antigua and Barbuda, and Hazem Mousa from Libya celebrate with their medals on the podium for 800-meter level-A finals during day four of the 2023 Games.)

(Athletes compete in the 200-meter breaststroke level-A division-MA01 swimming semifinal on day two of the Games.)

(Regan Hofley of SO Canada (left) celebrates while Yukine Watanabe of SO Japan smiles, after the 800-meter level-A finals on June 20, 2023.)

^ They all did a great job! It looked like a really good Special Olympics World Games. ^

https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2023/06/photos-2023-special-olympics-world-games/674483/