At a meeting last Saturday, Special Olympics Deutschland in Bayern e. V. and the city of Erlangen signed the framework agreement for the 2025 State Games in the Huguenot city. Mayor Florian Janik (photo: seated on the right) and Special Olympics Bavaria President Erwin Horak (seated on the left) signed the agreement as part of an information event held by the sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities at the training institute of the Bavarian Association of Lebenshilfe in Erlangen. They thus sealed the cooperation for the next two years. Also present were Mayor and Sports Officer Jörg Volleth (standing left) and a representative from the Office for Sport and Health Promotion.
As part of the signing of the contract, the organizer of the State Games and the city as host officially announced the date of the event: The State Games for people with intellectual disabilities will take place from July 14 to 18, 2025.
Lord Mayor Florian Janik: "Open by tradition is the city motto and we live diversity here every day. I am therefore delighted that we will be able to welcome this colorful sports festival to Erlangen in 2025. It is a great opportunity to show what people can achieve together if we take inclusion seriously. And it is an incentive to continue breaking down barriers in all areas of life."
Following the signing, Special Olympics Bavaria informed the interested representatives of the Erlangen clubs about the plans. The support of the local (sports) clubs is an important pillar in the implementation of the inclusive multi-sport event. However, this is explicitly not just about holding the competitions. Rather, the aim is for clubs in Erlangen to continue to open up to people with intellectual disabilities and create inclusive offers on a permanent basis.
SOBY President Erwin Horak: "We are delighted to have agreed to work together on the 2025 State Games today. With the city of Erlangen, we have a strong and reliable partner at our side. Inclusion in sport has been on the agenda in Erlangen for many years. The 2025 State Games are another important step on the way to greater participation of our athletes in sport. Together with the city, we are now setting out to ensure that we can all experience a colorful, joyful and, above all, inclusive State Games in Erlangen in July 2025."
Around 400 coaches and support staff, 750 helpers and 200 family members are expected to join the 1,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities at the Special Olympics Bavaria 2025 State Games Erlangen.
Photo: City of Erlangen, Office for Sport and Health Promotion
Read more about the national games
Special Olympics National Games 2025
From July 14 to 18, Erlangen will host the Special Olympics State Games Bavaria 2025, and the Huguenot city is looking forward to meeting the athletes and having fun at the Summer Games.
Special Olympics National Games 2025
From July 14 to 18, Erlangen will host the Special Olympics State Games Bavaria 2025, and the Huguenot city is looking forward to meeting the athletes and having fun at the Summer Games.