2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games

The bid process was opened in November 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aipsmedia.com/index.html?page=artdetail&art=21968|title=Global search for 2023 Special Olympics World Games host begins|publisher=aipsmedia.com|date=13 November 2017}} Berlin, Germany was selected as the host city on 13 November 2018 at the Global Athlete Congress in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.specialolympics.org/about/press-releases/berlin-germany-selected-to-host-the-2023-special-olympics-world-games|title=Berlin, Germany selected to host the 2023 Special Olympics World Games|publisher=Special Olympics|date=13 November 2018}} On 30 January 2020, Berlin was officially confirmed as the host city for the games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.specialolympics.org/about/press-releases/special-olympics-confirms-berlin-as-host-of-2023-world-games|title=Special Olympics Confirms Berlin as Host of 2023 World Games|publisher=Special Olympics|date=30 January 2020}}

Events took place in fifteen venues:{{Cite web|url=https://www.berlin2023.org/en/sports/venues|title=Our Venues for #Berlin2023|publisher=Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023|accessdate=20 June 2023}}

• Olympiapark Berlin
• Olympiastadion (opening ceremony)
• August-Bier-Platz (futsal)
• {{ill|Eissporthalle Charlottenburg|de}} (roller skating)
• Hanns-Braun-Stadion (athletics)
• {{ill|Hockey-Stadion|de|Hockey-Olympiastadion (Berlin)}} (field hockey)
• Horst-Korber-Sportzentrum (handball)
• Maifeld (football)
• Reitclub am Olympiapark (equestrian)
• Messe Berlin (badminton, basketball, bocce, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, judo, powerlifting, table tennis, volleyball)
• SC Brandenburg Berlin (tennis)
• Neptunbrunnen (3x3 basketball)
• Straße des 17. Juni (cycling, closing ceremony)
• BeachMitte (beach volleyball)
• {{ill|Schwimm- und Sprunghalle im Europasportpark|de}} (SSE) (swimming)
• Wannsee (sailing)
• Bowling World on Mercedes-Platz (bowling)
• regatta course Grünau (kayak, open water swimming)
• Golf Club Bad Saarow (golf)

File:2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games Opening Ceremony 01.jpg

The opening ceremony was held at the Olympiastadion on 17 June 2023. President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier opened the games officially. Special Olympics chairman Timothy Shriver, German chancellor Olaf Scholz, Mayor of Berlin Kai Wegner, and former Olympic athletes Dirk Nowitzki and Felix Neureuther also took part in the ceremony. The torch was lit by Special Olympic tennis player Sophie Rensmann. Blue Man Group took part in a couple musical performances during the ceremony.

The closing ceremony was held on Straße des 17. Juni in front of the Brandenburg Gate on 25 June 2023.

Competitions were held in the following 26 sports:{{cite web |url=https://www.berlin2023.org/en/sports/our-sports |title=Our Sports |website=berlin2023.org}}

Basketball 3x3 made its debut at the Special Olympics and Field Hockey was featured as a demonstration sport.

The top three finishers of each competition were honored with gold, silver and bronze medals, while the fourth to eighth place finishers received ribbons with their placement printed on them.

More than 4000 medals and 6600 placement ribbons were presented at 1,334 award ceremonies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.berlin2023.org/en/news/thank-you-berlin-2023|title=The Berlin 2023 Games are over|publisher=berlin2023.org|date=25 June 2023}}

Unlike the Olympic and Paralympic Games the Special Olympics do not provide an official medal table, since there is supposed to be no competitive pressure among the nations. Apart from the medals and placement ribbons, participants who were disqualified or did not finish their competition were also awarded with participation ribbons in order to promote sportsmanship.{{cite web|url=https://www.zdf.de/uri/72af10da-17c9-4c31-a847-ba4ab34570f0|title=Special Olympics: Verlieren nicht möglich|website=ZDF.de|language=de|date=2023-06-20}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rheinpfalz.de/sport_artikel,-wieso-die-special-olympics-world-games-ohne-medaillenspiegel-auskommen-_arid,5518267.html|title=Wieso die Special Olympics World Games ohne Medaillenspiegel auskommen|website=Die Rheinpfalz|language=de|date=2023-06-15}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-06-22 |title=Special Olympics: Wegen zu guter Leistung disqualifiziert |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/special-olympics-berlin-leonie-spehr-rekord-disqualifikation-1.5957952 |access-date=2023-06-27 |website=Süddeutsche.de |language=de}}

{{Medals table

| caption = Medals won by participating delegations

| host = GER

| flag_template = flagcountry

| event = 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games

| team =

| source = {{cite web|title=Competition Schedule – Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023|url=https://results.specialolympics.org/world-games-berlin-2023/competition-schedule|website=results.specialolympics.org|access-date=2023-11-03}}

| gold_GER = 79 | silver_GER = 72 | bronze_GER = 96 | host_GER = yes

| gold_CHN = 56 | silver_CHN = 36 | bronze_CHN = 27

| gold_GBR = 49 | silver_GBR = 36 | bronze_GBR = 18

| gold_CAN = 46 | silver_CAN = 20 | bronze_CAN = 29

| gold_IND = 100 | silver_IND = 100 | bronze_IND = 100

| gold_HKG = 39 | silver_HKG = 25 | bronze_HKG = 12

| gold_BEL = 34 | silver_BEL = 29 | bronze_BEL = 17

| gold_USA = 32 | silver_USA = 45 | bronze_USA = 33

| gold_HUN = 30 | silver_HUN = 26 | bronze_HUN = 16

| gold_BAN = 25 | silver_BAN = 4 | bronze_BAN = 5

| gold_GRE = 24 | silver_GRE = 15 | bronze_GRE = 24

| gold_ITA = 23 | silver_ITA = 29 | bronze_ITA = 24

| gold_CRC = 23 | silver_CRC = 28 | bronze_CRC = 37

| gold_SUI = 23 | silver_SUI = 22 | bronze_SUI = 10

| gold_KOR = 23 | silver_KOR = 21 | bronze_KOR = 16

| gold_FIN = 23 | silver_FIN = 18 | bronze_FIN = 13

| gold_IRL = 22 | silver_IRL = 19 | bronze_IRL = 30

| gold_LTU = 22 | silver_LTU = 11 | bronze_LTU = 4

| gold_UAE = 19 | silver_UAE = 21 | bronze_UAE = 26

| gold_ROU = 18 | silver_ROU = 18 | bronze_ROU = 7

| gold_PUR = 18 | silver_PUR = 17 | bronze_PUR = 12

| gold_NED = 17 | silver_NED = 16 | bronze_NED = 28

| gold_PAR = 17 | silver_PAR = 14 | bronze_PAR = 12

| gold_NOR = 16 | silver_NOR = 22 | bronze_NOR = 12

| gold_EGY = 16 | silver_EGY = 13 | bronze_EGY = 22

| gold_TPE = 16 | silver_TPE = 13 | bronze_TPE = 10

| gold_MLT = 16 | silver_MLT = 11 | bronze_MLT = 5

| gold_POL = 15 | silver_POL = 26 | bronze_POL = 16

| gold_AUS = 15 | silver_AUS = 22 | bronze_AUS = 26

| gold_MAC = 15 | silver_MAC = 12 | bronze_MAC = 8

| gold_KEN = 15 | silver_KEN = 4 | bronze_KEN = 6

| gold_ISL = 14 | silver_ISL = 16 | bronze_ISL = 13

| gold_SWE = 14 | silver_SWE = 7 | bronze_SWE = 12

| gold_AUT = 13 | silver_AUT = 16 | bronze_AUT = 16

| gold_MEX = 13 | silver_MEX = 8 | bronze_MEX = 11

| gold_VEN = 11 | silver_VEN = 12 | bronze_VEN = 16

| gold_PAK = 10 | silver_PAK = 20 | bronze_PAK = 18

| gold_SVK = 10 | silver_SVK = 16 | bronze_SVK = 13

| gold_ESP = 10 | silver_ESP = 13 | bronze_ESP = 15

| gold_THA = 10 | silver_THA = 11 | bronze_THA = 5

| gold_KAZ = 10 | silver_KAZ = 10 | bronze_KAZ = 14

| gold_RSA = 10 | silver_RSA = 9 | bronze_RSA = 7

| gold_ISR = 10 | silver_ISR = 8 | bronze_ISR = 8

| gold_INA = 10 | silver_INA = 5 | bronze_INA = 8

| gold_CIV = 10 | silver_CIV = 5 | bronze_CIV = 6

| gold_DEN = 9 | silver_DEN = 19 | bronze_DEN = 15

| gold_EST = 9 | silver_EST = 14 | bronze_EST = 13

| gold_JPN = 9 | silver_JPN = 7 | bronze_JPN = 10

| gold_JAM = 9 | silver_JAM = 5 | bronze_JAM = 4

| gold_CYP = 8 | silver_CYP = 14 | bronze_CYP = 9

| gold_CZE = 8 | silver_CZE = 12 | bronze_CZE = 6

| gold_POR = 8 | silver_POR = 11 | bronze_POR = 8

| gold_KSA = 8 | silver_KSA = 6 | bronze_KSA = 10

| gold_MON = 8 | silver_MON = 6 | bronze_MON = 5

| gold_DOM = 8 | silver_DOM = 4 | bronze_DOM = 2

| gold_ESA = 7 | silver_ESA = 15 | bronze_ESA = 9

| gold_ECU = 7 | silver_ECU = 11 | bronze_ECU = 11

| gold_KUW = 7 | silver_KUW = 9 | bronze_KUW = 4

| gold_SYR = 7 | silver_SYR = 8 | bronze_SYR = 10

| gold_BRA = 7 | silver_BRA = 8 | bronze_BRA = 9

| gold_LBA = 7 | silver_LBA = 6 | bronze_LBA = 9

| gold_SRB = 7 | silver_SRB = 6 | bronze_SRB = 6

| gold_PAN = 7 | silver_PAN = 4 | bronze_PAN = 8

| gold_JOR = 7 | silver_JOR = 3 | bronze_JOR = 10

| gold_PLE = 7 | silver_PLE = 2 | bronze_PLE = 2

| gold_OMA = 6 | silver_OMA = 9 | bronze_OMA = 14

| gold_SLO = 6 | silver_SLO = 8 | bronze_SLO = 4

| gold_BUL = 6 | silver_BUL = 5 | bronze_BUL = 9

| gold_BOL = 6 | silver_BOL = 5 | bronze_BOL = 6

| gold_AZE = 6 | silver_AZE = 4 | bronze_AZE = 13

| gold_CHI = 6 | silver_CHI = 4 | bronze_CHI = 4

| gold_BHR = 6 | silver_BHR = 2 | bronze_BHR = 3

| gold_MAW = 6 | silver_MAW = 2 | bronze_MAW = 3

| gold_SGP = 6 | silver_SGP = 2 | bronze_SGP = 2

| gold_NZL = 5 | silver_NZL = 17 | bronze_NZL = 12

| gold_UZB = 5 | silver_UZB = 13 | bronze_UZB = 14

| gold_GUA = 5 | silver_GUA = 10 | bronze_GUA = 7

| gold_FRA = 5 | silver_FRA = 9 | bronze_FRA = 11

| gold_UKR = 5 | silver_UKR = 9 | bronze_UKR = 7

| gold_COL = 5 | silver_COL = 9 | bronze_COL = 6

| gold_TTO = 5 | silver_TTO = 7 | bronze_TTO = 8

| gold_GIB = 5 | silver_GIB = 7 | bronze_GIB = 4

| gold_LUX = 5 | silver_LUX = 5 | bronze_LUX = 7

| gold_FRO = 5 | silver_FRO = 5 | bronze_FRO = 5

| gold_HON = 5 | silver_HON = 3 | bronze_HON = 6

| gold_SKN = 5 | silver_SKN = 0 | bronze_SKN = 3

| gold_BUR = 4 | silver_BUR = 6 | bronze_BUR = 5

| gold_MAS = 4 | silver_MAS = 5 | bronze_MAS = 9

| gold_MAR = 4 | silver_MAR = 5 | bronze_MAR = 3

| gold_IOM = 4 | silver_IOM = 4 | bronze_IOM = 10

| gold_IRQ = 4 | silver_IRQ = 4 | bronze_IRQ = 4

| gold_LAT = 4 | silver_LAT = 3 | bronze_LAT = 2

| gold_NRU = 4 | silver_NRU = 2 | bronze_NRU = 2

| gold_PHI = 4 | silver_PHI = 1 | bronze_PHI = 1

| gold_URU = 3 | silver_URU = 12 | bronze_URU = 9

| gold_FIJ = 3 | silver_FIJ = 6 | bronze_FIJ = 6

| gold_SMR = 3 | silver_SMR = 6 | bronze_SMR = 3

| gold_PER = 3 | silver_PER = 6 | bronze_PER = 2

| gold_ARG = 3 | silver_ARG = 5 | bronze_ARG = 2

| gold_TUN = 3 | silver_TUN = 5 | bronze_TUN = 1

| gold_SEN = 3 | silver_SEN = 4 | bronze_SEN = 5

| gold_AND = 3 | silver_AND = 3 | bronze_AND = 5

| gold_CUB = 3 | silver_CUB = 3 | bronze_CUB = 2

| gold_BEN = 3 | silver_BEN = 2 | bronze_BEN = 7

| gold_IRI = 3 | silver_IRI = 1 | bronze_IRI = 5

| gold_ZAM = 3 | silver_ZAM = 1 | bronze_ZAM = 1

| gold_GEO = 3 | silver_GEO = 0 | bronze_GEO = 1

| gold_MGL = 2 | silver_MGL = 6 | bronze_MGL = 6

| gold_MRI = 2 | silver_MRI = 6 | bronze_MRI = 5

| gold_SUR = 2 | silver_SUR = 5 | bronze_SUR = 13

| gold_TKM = 2 | silver_TKM = 5 | bronze_TKM = 4

| gold_BOT = 2 | silver_BOT = 4 | bronze_BOT = 1

| gold_CAY = 2 | silver_CAY = 3 | bronze_CAY = 8

| gold_LIB = 2 | silver_LIB = 3 | bronze_LIB = 5

| gold_SEY = 2 | silver_SEY = 2 | bronze_SEY = 5

| gold_ZIM = 2 | silver_ZIM = 2 | bronze_ZIM = 4

| gold_LIE = 2 | silver_LIE = 2 | bronze_LIE = 3

| gold_ARU = 2 | silver_ARU = 2 | bronze_ARU = 2

| gold_CUR = 2 | silver_CUR = 2 | bronze_CUR = 2

| gold_UGA = 2 | silver_UGA = 2 | bronze_UGA = 1

| gold_BER = 2 | silver_BER = 1 | bronze_BER = 7

| gold_TLS = 2 | silver_TLS = 1 | bronze_TLS = 2

| gold_TUR = 2 | silver_TUR = 1 | bronze_TUR = 2

| gold_BHU = 2 | silver_BHU = 1 | bronze_BHU = 0

| gold_BON = 2 | silver_BON = 1 | bronze_BON = 0

| gold_CRO = 2 | silver_CRO = 0 | bronze_CRO = 4

| gold_MDV = 2 | silver_MDV = 0 | bronze_MDV = 1

| gold_ARM = 2 | silver_ARM = 0 | bronze_ARM = 0

| gold_TJK = 2 | silver_TJK = 0 | bronze_TJK = 0

| gold_NIC = 1 | silver_NIC = 4 | bronze_NIC = 2

| gold_GDL = 1 | silver_GDL = 2 | bronze_GDL = 5

| gold_ALB = 1 | silver_ALB = 2 | bronze_ALB = 2

| gold_HTI = 1 | silver_HTI = 2 | bronze_HTI = 2

| gold_MKD = 1 | silver_MKD = 2 | bronze_MKD = 2

| gold_GUY = 1 | silver_GUY = 2 | bronze_GUY = 1

| gold_NAM = 1 | silver_NAM = 2 | bronze_NAM = 1

| gold_BIH = 1 | silver_BIH = 1 | bronze_BIH = 3

| gold_KOS = 1 | silver_KOS = 1 | bronze_KOS = 1

| gold_RWA = 1 | silver_RWA = 1 | bronze_RWA = 1

| gold_VIE = 1 | silver_VIE = 1 | bronze_VIE = 1

| gold_ATG = 1 | silver_ATG = 0 | bronze_ATG = 2

| gold_CMR = 1 | silver_CMR = 0 | bronze_CMR = 0

| gold_GUI = 1 | silver_GUI = 0 | bronze_GUI = 0

| gold_MLI = 1 | silver_MLI = 0 | bronze_MLI = 0

| gold_ALG = 0 | silver_ALG = 9 | bronze_ALG = 10

| gold_VIN = 0 | silver_VIN = 4 | bronze_VIN = 2

| gold_DMA = 0 | silver_DMA = 4 | bronze_DMA = 1

| gold_BAH = 0 | silver_BAH = 3 | bronze_BAH = 1

| gold_PNG = 0 | silver_PNG = 2 | bronze_PNG = 2

| gold_SSD = 0 | silver_SSD = 2 | bronze_SSD = 2

| gold_BIZ = 0 | silver_BIZ = 2 | bronze_BIZ = 1

| gold_QAT = 0 | silver_QAT = 2 | bronze_QAT = 1

| gold_GHA = 0 | silver_GHA = 1 | bronze_GHA = 2

| gold_TGO = 0 | silver_TGO = 1 | bronze_TGO = 2

| gold_CAM = 0 | silver_CAM = 1 | bronze_CAM = 1

| gold_LES = 0 | silver_LES = 1 | bronze_LES = 1

| gold_MNE = 0 | silver_MNE = 1 | bronze_MNE = 1

| gold_SAM = 0 | silver_SAM = 1 | bronze_SAM = 1

| gold_COD = 0 | silver_COD = 1 | bronze_COD = 0

| gold_LAO = 0 | silver_LAO = 1 | bronze_LAO = 0

| gold_LCA = 0 | silver_LCA = 1 | bronze_LCA = 0

| gold_MDA = 0 | silver_MDA = 1 | bronze_MDA = 0

| gold_CPV = 0 | silver_CPV = 0 | bronze_CPV = 2

| gold_KGZ = 0 | silver_KGZ = 0 | bronze_KGZ = 2

| gold_PLW = 0 | silver_PLW = 0 | bronze_PLW = 2

| gold_GAM = 0 | silver_GAM = 0 | bronze_GAM = 1

| gold_MAD = 0 | silver_MAD = 0 | bronze_MAD = 1

| gold_SWZ = 0 | silver_SWZ = 0 | bronze_SWZ = 1

| gold_TAN = 0 | silver_TAN = 0 | bronze_TAN = 1

}}

Below is a list of all 178 participating delegations. The number of competitors per delegation is indicated in parentheses.

The logo and slogan were unveiled on December 14, 2021, at the Sky Deutschland studio. The emblem, which brings together solid colors and images of Berlin, was designed with the help of Special Olympics athletes. During a workshop, they shared their thoughts and feelings about the Games and inclusion. The list of feelings participants chose to be incorporated in the logo, which are represented by shapes and the five main logo colors, are joy, togetherness, excitement, pride and passion. Additionally, iconic symbols of Berlin are used to welcome athletes and visitors to the city. The Berlin Bear, in green, can be found on the city's coat of arms. Logo designers also felt it was important to honor Berlin's ability to overcome a past of separation and isolation after the city was divided at the end of World War II. The Brandenburg Gate, in red, and Fernsehturm Tower, in fuchsia, celebrate a unified city and Berlin as the capital of one Germany. Overall, the logo was created to evoke a sense of unity, diversity, playfulness and connection. The slogan #UnbeatableTogether or in German #ZusammenUnschlagbar represents Togetherness and overcoming borders collectively are main elements of the logo.{{cite web|url=https://www.specialolympics.org/stories/news/special-olympics-world-games-berlin-2023-logo-reveal|title=Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 Logo Reveal|date=21 December 2021|publisher=Special Olympics}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.berlin2023.org Official website]

{{Special Olympics}}

Special Olympics World Summer Games

Special Olympics World Summer Games

Category:Special Olympics World Games

Category:2023 in German sport

Special Olympics

Category:International sports competitions hosted by Germany

Category:Multi-sport events in Germany

Category:Sports competitions in Berlin

Category:2020s in Berlin