Coca-Cola is celebrating its partnership with the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, which will take place from June 17-25, 2023. As a global partner and founding sponsor of the Special Olympics since 1968, Coca-Cola aims to create a better and shared future by helping promote an inclusive society where everyone can thrive.
The Special Olympics World Games are a unique event that creates an unparalleled social and emotional impact by empowering over 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from 190 countries and territories to showcase their abilities, build connections, and feel included in society.
With over 300,000 spectators and 20,000 volunteers expected to attend the events spread across 13 locations, the Special Olympics inspire hope and belief in a brighter future of acceptance, understanding, and global unity. Coca-Cola supports the vision of an inclusive society through the power of sports, believing in the transformative impact of the Special Olympics on the lives of participants. By supporting the event, Coca-Cola embraces the desire to break barriers, unite communities, and provide more people with the opportunity to flourish.
Albania is participating for the first time this year in the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, with 10 athletes with intellectual disabilities representing our country in 4 disciplines.
Coca-Cola Bottling Shqipëria (CCBS) is proud to support the Special Olympics of Albania and its athletes in such an important moment, contributing to breaking the barriers they still face in their daily lives during this spectacular event that celebrates the untapped potential of individuals with intellectual disabilities, leveraging the power of sports to unite people and transform lives.
Since 1968, the Special Olympics World Games have transcended geographical boundaries, nationality, political philosophies, gender identity, age, ethnicity, and religion to come together every two years, alternating between summer and winter sports.
As part of the partnership, Coca-Cola provides financial support and material goods, volunteer efforts, and marketing initiatives to raise awareness of the Special Olympics Programs, athletes, and events worldwide.
“We are extremely proud of our partnership with the Special Olympics, building on more than half a century of collaboration that celebrates the power of sports to break barriers and promote inclusion and diversity,” said Tim Dignard, Sr. Manager, Global Sports Partnerships and Operations at Coca-Cola.
“The Special Olympics is much more than just a sports event. We believe they have the power to contribute to real change and inclusion, both within our company and in the communities where we operate. We encourage everyone to join in the magic of this inclusive celebration that changes lives.”
On the other hand, Zehra Sayin, Director of Marketing, Communication, and Development for the Special Olympics, stated: “The Special Olympics World Games are an opportunity for the world to witness the abilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities, to see the power of inclusion, and to be entertained! Millions of Special Olympics athletes, along with hundreds of thousands of coaches, volunteers, and families, are overcoming fear and stigma in communities every day. The Games are a global celebration of belonging and a platform for this historically marginalized population to challenge people everywhere to break down walls of isolation.”
About the Special Olympics World Games
Founded in 1968, the Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. The movement aims to promote the acceptance of everyone through the power of sports and programming in education, health, and leadership. With over six million athletes and Unified Sports partners in more than 200 countries, along with over one million coaches and volunteers, the Special Olympics offers over 30 Olympic-type sports and over 100,000 games and competitions each year.
No other event in the world has the same social and emotional impact as the Special Olympics World
