For four days, the 544 athletes gave their all, fought for every point and every second, but always upheld fairness with sportsmanship and the Olympic spirit. Many were happy to receive a medal. But even those who didn’t quite make it to the top of the podium can be proud, because they did their best. Geri Fischer, Co-President of the OC, sums up the last few days: “It’s hard to put into words what we’ve been able to experience here over the last few days. The incredible enthusiasm of the Special Olympic Family and the entire population has deeply impressed and touched me. From an organizational point of view, everything went extremely well and I am more than satisfied with the result, for which I am extremely grateful to the entire OC and all the dedicated helpers.”

The Special Olympics flag was presented at the closing ceremony to the organizers of the next National Summer Games, which will take place in Zug from May 28-31, 2026. Government Councilor Martin Pfister, Andi Hotz and athlete ambassador Fabienne Villiger were on site from the OC.

Incredibly valuable work has been done over the last few days. Bruno Barth, National Director of Special Olympics Switzerland, emphasizes: “I was impressed by how the entire population supports this event: At the opening ceremony, at the medal ceremonies in the middle of the village and also with the countless local volunteers who set up these Games and have now implemented them with so much passion.”

We sincerely thank all volunteers, officials, and referees for their great commitment, all sponsoring partners and patrons for their valuable and generous contribution, and all athletes and coaches for their participation.

You all have made this event an unforgettable and wonderful sports festival.

Thank you very much!

Here you will find photos and videos. Many thanks also to WeArePepper with photographers Sebastian Schneider and Claudio Kernen, as well as to Maurizio Secundo and Davide Valentini from the film team Provoca Azione for the great photos and videos.

Results are uploaded here

In all sports, divisionings and final competitions are scheduled, and the first medal ceremonies are already taking place. The athletes are highly motivated and giving their all, as the many fans and family members inspire them to exceptional performances. In the evening, however, the ambitious athletes can also simply treat themselves: with a delicious dinner in the tennis hall and a subsequent show full of action and fun.

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Results and start lists can be found here.

Pictures are continuously uploaded here.

The program overview is available here.

All 4 One – the Special Olympics anthem composed by Trauffer and Jesse Ritch – was just one of the many highlights of the atmospheric opening ceremony of the National Winter Games. The 20-member Special Olympics choir – reinforced by Linda Fäh, Roberto de Luca, Chiara Jacomet, and Marina Claire Belpêche – rocked the rousing song with infectious joy and energy. Christa Rigozzi hosted the evening with her usual eloquence, warmth, and professionalism. She was accompanied by Caroline Flüeler, co-host and Curling athlete. The raising of the Special Olympics flag and the reciting of the Athlete’s Oath were particularly moving. The light show by Gery Hofstetter was also spectacular, and as a brilliant finale – after Matthias Keller and Ivo Tippmar, flanked by police officers, lit the Flame of Hope with the torch – the Alphorn group Trio Guferli performed a show act.

Today, the competitions and further divisionings begin.

Download the Games Song here.

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Results and start lists can be found here.

Photos are continuously uploaded here.

Today, on the occasion of the National Winter Games in the Haslital Brienz region, the divisionings will take place in all sports – Curling, Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing, alpine skiing, Snowboarding and Floorball. These classification competitions divide the participants into homogeneous performance groups in which everyone has a comparable level of performance and a real chance of success. More about divisioning and the Special Olympics sports philosophy here.

The opening ceremony starts at 7:00 p.m. with the entry of the sports groups from all over Switzerland through the village of Meiringen to Casinoplatz. There, at 8:00 p.m., an emotional celebration will take place as the prelude to the multi-day sports spectacle, moderated by Christa Rigozzi.

If you can’t be there live, you’ll find all updates on Facebook and Instagram.

Results and start lists can be found here.

Pictures are continuously uploaded here.

Pictured are the members of the Athletes Commission at the dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony.

Meiringen is teeming with organizing committee members, volunteers, partners, officials, and Special Olympics staff. Everyone is busy with the final preparations for the most important sporting event for people with disabilities – the National Winter Games Haslital Brienz 2024. Everyone has one goal: to offer the 600 athletes, who are traveling to the heart of Switzerland together with their coaches, a great sports festival with heart. Most delegations will check in as early as Wednesday, the divisionings will start on Thursday, and the atmospheric opening ceremony will take place in the evening.

If you can’t be there live, you’ll find all updates on Facebook and Instagram.

Results and start lists can be found here.

Photos are continuously uploaded here.

The program overview is available here.

The countdown is on for the National Winter Games Haslital Brienz 2024: the Special Olympics torch has arrived in Meiringen. Two lake police officers, the Fackelträger association, children from the Matten and Brienz schools, members of the two Axalp and Brienz ski clubs, and athletes from the region visited several sports venues of the National Winter Games for people with disabilities with the torch. The route led from Interlaken Matten via lake police boat to Brienz and from there on foot to Hofstetten and finally to Meiringen. The torchbearers were accompanied by dialect pop singer Trauffer and the two successful Curling professionals Michel Sven and Alina Pätz (World Championship bronze and gold) and cheered on by a large audience along the way.

With this very torch, two athletes from Special Olympics will light the Flame of Hope on the Casinoplatz in Meiringen on March 14, 2024, during the opening ceremony of the National Winter Games.

The torch run has a long tradition at Special Olympics. As “Guardians of the Flame”, members of police authorities from all over the world, together with Special Olympics athletes, carry the “Flame of Hope” to the opening ceremonies of National or World Games. The flame symbolizes courage and diversity and unites communities around the globe. In Switzerland, the LETR has been carried out for 10 years and, thanks to close cooperation with the IPA (International Police Association), has become a cherished tradition among the athletes of Special Olympics Switzerland.

Read more here.