State Games of the Special Olympics opened in Berlin

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  The flame of hope burns at the opening of the Landesspiele (Special Olympics State Games)

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  The national games were opened in the Hohenschönhausen sports forum.

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  Special Olympics boss Sven Albrecht (l) watches the opening ceremony with Britta Ernst

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  The opening of the Special Olympics state games was celebrated with a colorful program

The Berlin and Brandenburg State Games (Landesspiele) for Special Olympics athletes opened with a colorful program at the Hohenschönhausen Sports Forum.

The competitions in the Sportforum and the Luftschiffhafen Potsdam as well as other locations are also regarded as qualification for the National Games in Saarland next year.

Over 1,600 athletes with intellectual and multiple disabilities will be competing in athletics, soccer, basketball, judo, table tennis, badminton and bowling. The long-term goal is the 2027 World Games in Santiago de Chile. The closing ceremony and athletes' disco will take place on Saturday evening in the Luftschiffhafen. The medal ceremony will then take place on Sunday.