The Host Town Program

Berlin is where the music will be played in June 2023, but the orchestra will come from all over the country: the "Host Town Program" is a unique project to welcome international athletes to Germany.

Delegation SO USA und SOHB bei den Bremer Stadtmusikanten. — © SOHB

Welcome USA!

Bremen and Bremerhaven will host the U.S. delegation to the 2023 Special Olympics World Games. Before the world's largest inclusive sporting event kicks off for the first time in Germany on June 17-25, 2023, Bremen and Bremerhaven will host approximately 200 delegation members from the U.S. as part of the Host Town Program from June 12-15, 2023.

Portrait von Anja Stahmann | Foto: Anja Stahmann

"Bremen and Bremerhaven say: Welcome USA! We will host the largest delegation of the Games and are especially proud to host the athletes from the mother country of the Special Olympics. Both cities are acting together as Host Town and will welcome our guests with a welcome party, a town hall reception, joint training sessions and city tours. For Bremen, this is a nice confirmation of an inclusive policy," says Senator for Social and Sports Anja Stahmann.

Together inklusive

216 delegations!

A total of 216 host cities with 216 municipal inclusion projects were selected. The largest municipal inclusion project in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany creates a new togetherness and opens the space for encounters far beyond the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.

Hom for all!

The selected host communities, the so-called Host Towns, will organize the stay from June 12 to 15, 2023, according to their ideas and wishes. The activities will be determined by the international athletes themselves. Joint sports activities, sightseeing and cultural programs are planned to show the visitors each other's homeland.

Long-term goal

An international exchange facilitates a positive approach to diversity and strengthens internal social cohesion. It promotes understanding between society and that is exactly the goal!

Even after the Games, the networks created, international partnerships and any friendships that may have developed between the local players should be maintained. The aim is to integrate people with intellectual disabilities into society and sport in the long term.

For more information on the Host Town Program click here.

Kontakt

Lars Ehlers

Projektleiter Host Town Program
lars.ehlers@specialolympics.de