Special Olympics Switzerland is applying to host the biggest winter sports event for people with disabilities. The 2029 World Winter Games will last twelve days and welcome 2500 athletes in nine sports. Delegations from over 100 countries will first prepare in all cantons and then celebrate the opening in Zurich. Sports competitions and medical programs for participants will take place in Chur, Lenzerheide and Arosa.
The Special Olympics World Winter Games for athletes with disabilities are to take place in Switzerland in 2029. The dossier was submitted to Federal Councillor Viola Amherd. She is behind the project and had planned to welcome a delegation of athletes with disabilities to the Federal Palace. However, this was not possible due to stricter corona measures.
Nonetheless, the head of the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport is delighted: “I am convinced that the application and possible holding of the 2029 World Winter Games in Switzerland will make a lasting contribution to an inclusive society.” The sporting part of the event takes place in the canton of Grisons: in Chur, the indoor sports of floorhockey, short track and figure skating; in Arosa skiing and snowboarding in Lenzerheide, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and dance sports.
The opening ceremony is planned at Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich and the closing ceremony in Chur. For seven days, the city of Chur will become the actual center of the World Games. City President Urs Marti: “Chur hosted the National Winter Games in 2016. The joy and enthusiasm that came from these national games is still present to everyone involved. The event has left lasting marks on the inclusion of people with disabilities. The 2029 World Games should spread this effect from Chur to the whole world.”
Host Town program in all cantons of Switzerland
In contrast to Olympic or Paralympic Games, World Games are not top or performance events. All participants should be successful and have a real chance to win a medal, because there is only one winner in any competition. Kurt Murer, President Special Olympics Switzerland: “Special Olympics Games are more than just sporting events. Everyone becomes a winner here. Nowhere else do so different people meet, celebrate successes, break down barriers and make friends. For me, these games make it clear what it means to be human.”
A specialty of the Special Olympics World Games is the “Host Town” program, which takes place for four days before the opening. The teams from 100 countries will be spread across all cantons and get to know Switzerland, its climate and its culture. Numerous small and larger events will bring teams and the local population into contact. In this way, people from all regions of the country can become part of the games.
Inclusion of disabled people in everyday life
The city and canton of Zurich will play a major role in the event as the location of the opening ceremony and as one of the main hosts of the Host Town program. Bruno Barth, National Director Special Olympics Switzerland: “For the first time, all teams and their companions will meet at the opening ceremony. This ceremony, as well as the entire event, will be a great celebration full of emotions, joie de vivre and mutual respect. Inclusion, i.e. access and participation of disabled people in our everyday lives, is the main goal of the games.”
The candidacy for the World Winter Games 2029 was prepared by Special Olympics Switzerland and the Grisons University of Applied Sciences in cooperation with the cities of Chur and Zurich, the cantons of Grisons and Zurich and the municipalities of Arosa and Vaz/Obervaz. The games will cost 38 million francs, i.e. about the same as the Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020.
The financing concept provides that 75% of the total costs will be borne by the federal government, the cantons of Grisons and Zurich, the cities of Chur and Zurich and the regions of Arosa and Lenzerheide. The Swiss candidacy will be submitted to Special Olympics International (SOI) in January 2021.
The award will take place either in July 2021 (dual award 2025/2029) or in November 2024 (award 2029).
About inclusion
As a sociological term, the concept of inclusion describes a society in which everyone is accepted and can participate in it on an equal and self-determined basis, regardless of gender, age or origin, religious affiliation or education, possible disabilities or other individual characteristics. In an inclusive society, there is no defined normality that every member of this society must strive for or fulfill.
The mere fact that there are differences is normal. These differences are seen as enriching and have no effect on individuals' self-evident right to participate. The task of society is to create structures in all areas of life that enable members of this society to move around barrier-free.
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports movement for people with intellectual disabilities and is committed to their appreciation, acceptance and equality.
The organization was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy-Shriver and is now represented by more than 6 million athletes in 174 countries. Special Olympics has existed in Switzerland as an independent foundation since 1995. It offers up to 70 competitions a year, hosts National Games, accompanies delegations to World Games and promotes the development of adapted sports and exercise offerings in existing sports clubs and popular sports events.
Special Olympics is committed to an inclusive society in which everyone is welcome.
contact
For further information, please contact our media office: Irene Ñanculaf, media@specialolympics.ch
Christian Gartmann is Communications and Media Officer for the Special Olympics World Winter Games Switzerland 2029 candidacy