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National Special Olympics Conclude in Saarbrücken After Week of Inclusive Sport

The event leaves a €10 million boost to accessible sports facilities with the host for the 2028 Winter Games still unconfirmed.

Overview

  • The National Special Olympics officially closed on Saturday, June 20, when organizers extinguished the Games' flame at a ceremony on Tbilisser Platz in Saarbrücken.
  • Organizers reported about 4,000–4,300 athletes took part and roughly 6,000 medals were awarded across performance groups with placement ribbons given through eighth place.
  • Competitions ran across 27 sports in venues throughout Saarland and in Forbach, France, and for the first time at the national level included sailing, hockey and rowing.
  • More than 3,000 volunteers supported the week of events and organizers said roughly 110,000 people — athletes, helpers and visitors — were involved, a turnout officials tied to local economic gains.
  • Saarland invested about €10 million to upgrade sports facilities to improve accessibility, creating a tangible legacy while leaving open policy and planning questions about sustaining inclusion and securing a 2028 Winter Games host.