Coca-Cola is celebrating its long-standing partnership with the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, taking place from June 17 to 25. As a global partner and founding sponsor since 1968, Coca-Cola continues to promote a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
The Special Olympics World Games are a unique global event, bringing together more than 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from 190 countries and territories. Through sport, the Games create a powerful social and emotional impact—empowering athletes to showcase their abilities, build connections, and feel fully included in society.
With over 300,000 spectators and 20,000 volunteers expected across 13 competition venues, the Games inspire hope, acceptance, and unity on a global scale. Coca-Cola supports this vision by promoting the transformative power of sport to break barriers, unite communities, and create opportunities for everyone.
Albania’s First Participation
This year marks a historic milestone: Albania is participating for the first time in the Special Olympics World Games. The country is represented by 10 athletes with intellectual disabilities, competing in four different disciplines.
Coca-Cola Bottling Shqipëria (CCBS) is proud to support Special Olympics Albania and its athletes at this important moment. Through this partnership, CCBS contributes to breaking down the barriers athletes still face in their daily lives, while celebrating the untapped potential of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The Special Olympics World Games have, since 1968, transcended geographic, cultural, and social boundaries. Held every two years—alternating between summer and winter editions—the Games bring together participants regardless of nationality, gender, age, ethnicity, religion, or political background.
A Partnership Built on Inclusion
As part of its partnership with the Special Olympics, Coca-Cola provides financial support, product donations, volunteer efforts, and global marketing initiatives to raise awareness of the athletes, programs, and events.
“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 sport 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 a sporting event. We believe it can drive real change and inclusion, both within our company and in the communities where we operate. We invite everyone to join this celebration that transforms lives.”
Zehra Sayin, Director of Marketing, Communication, and Development for the Special Olympics, added:
“The Special Olympics World Games are an opportunity for the world to witness the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities, to experience the power of inclusion, and to celebrate together. Millions of Special Olympics athletes, along with hundreds of thousands of coaches, volunteers, and families, overcome fear and stigma every day. The Games are a global celebration of belonging.”
About the Special Olympics
Founded in 1968, the Special Olympics is a global movement dedicated to ending discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. Through sport, education, health, and leadership programs, the organization promotes acceptance and inclusion worldwide.
Today, the movement includes over six million athletes and Unified Sports partners in more than 200 countries, supported by over one million coaches and volunteers. Each year, the Special Olympics organizes over 100,000 competitions across more than 30 Olympic-style sports, creating one of the most powerful platforms for social inclusion in the world.
