Emotional Closing Ceremony at Special Olympics

The 9th National Summer Games of Special Olympics Austria concluded on Monday evening in Vienna with a particularly moving closing ceremony. Around 1,800 athletes with and without intellectual disabilities from all over Austria made the event the largest National Summer Games in the history of Special Olympics Austria. At the same time, the extraordinary heatwave presented the organizing team with unprecedented challenges for the association. In the end, however, joy prevailed: The record-breaking Games lived up to their motto "Together boundless" in every respect.

Before the Special Olympics flag was lowered and the "Flame of Hope" extinguished on Monday evening, Special Olympics ambassador Philipp Jelinek created an initial emotional highlight just before the closing ceremony. Together with the athletes, coaches, volunteers, and the public, he organized Austria's largest inclusive training session.

The world record attempt was officially recognized and confirmed by the Austrian Record Institute. "Movement connects people – regardless of age, origin, or disability. The fact that we achieved this record together makes me incredibly proud. It was a fitting conclusion to special Games," said Philipp Jelinek.

The Special Olympics Family Stands Together

The 9th National Summer Games would not have been possible without the broad support of numerous sponsors and partners. Thanks go to the Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport, the City of Vienna, all sponsors, and the many partner organizations and volunteers who made this event possible.

"These Games were not only our record Games but probably also the most challenging Games we have organized so far. All the more, our motto 'Together boundless' shows what Special Olympics is all about. When challenges arise, our entire family comes together.

Together, we grow with these tasks and constantly receive new impulses from everyone. We are deeply grateful for that," emphasizes SOÖ President Laurenz Maresch, who addressed particularly emotional closing words to "his" athletes: "Austrian society can learn a lot from you and your joy!"