Special Olympics Switzerland entrusts the newly founded association Swiss Inclusive Sport with the task of promoting access to sports for people with disabilities. The outsourcing of these activities enables the utilization of synergies with other stakeholders and creates new perspectives to bring together not only athletes with disabilities but all people affected by exclusion in sports.
Ittigen, November 15, 2024 – For more than ten years, the ‘Inclusive Sport’ division of Special Olympics Switzerland has been promoting the development of adapted exercise and training programs for people with intellectual disabilities. Sports in Switzerland should become accessible to everyone, as stipulated by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and people with disabilities should be integrated into mainstream sports clubs and popular sports events.
Clear Positioning and Division of Tasks
The outsourcing allows for greater synergy utilization with partners and the promotion of new initiatives. The association
New Association Swiss Inclusive Sport
The vision of Swiss Inclusive Sport is to establish inclusive sports in Switzerland, where every person, regardless of their abilities, needs, wishes, and socio-cultural and economic situation, can actively participate and develop themselves athletically. Swiss Inclusive Sport aims to promote sports that are free from exclusion and discrimination and are recognized as an important instrument for public health and social cohesion. The culture of inclusive behavior should be established in Swiss sports, and the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities actively supported.
A Strong Foundation for the Start
The Beisheim Foundation supports Swiss Inclusive Sport with generous seed funding, which not only creates an important financial basis for the newly founded association but also strengthens its legitimacy and commitment to promoting inclusion. Special Olympics Switzerland also supports Swiss Inclusive Sport during the start-up phase and ensures a smooth transition. From January 1, 2025, the association will be fully operational and act independently. It can address the specific needs of various target groups and invest in collaboration with sports organizations, clubs, and other stakeholders.
Positive Balance in Switzerland – Sport for All Becomes Reality
Inclusion in sports is also feasible in practice: Special Olympics Switzerland has already established jointly supported cantonal specialist offices with eight cantons (GR, SG, GE, NE, UR, SZ, NW, OW) for the promotion of inclusive sports programs, thereby continuously expanding the offerings. Meanwhile, 131 sports clubs across Switzerland offer adapted training sessions for approximately 2,000 children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities. Annually, over 50 Unified Events take place, in which up to 1,500 people with and without disabilities participate. 36 organizers of popular sports events have signed the Unified Charter, thus confirming their commitment to developing inclusive sports within their structures.
Quotes
Olympic champion Simon Ammann is President of the Board of Trustees of Special Olympics Switzerland. Regarding the establishment of the association Swiss Inclusive Sport, he says:
“Swiss Inclusive Sport will further strengthen inclusion in popular sports, in clubs, and at events. The association can focus exclusively on this concern and thus achieve even more together with partners throughout Switzerland.”
“Sports must be accessible to all people. This is stipulated by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Switzerland ratified more than ten years ago.”
“Sports is an important instrument for public health and social cohesion in our country. It must be free from exclusion and discrimination.”
