With the kind request for publication
PM_14 including torchbearer pairs and many other participants make the Saarlouis torch run a truly special experience
Only a few days left until the time has come. To highlight the Special Olympics National Games, which will take place in Saarland from June 15 to 20, 2026, a major "Torch Day" will be held in the Saarlouis district.
“On June 11, many people will accompany the torch for the Special Olympics National Games in Saarland through our district, thus igniting a fire for more inclusion in our society”: At a press conference ahead of the big torch day in the Saarlouis district, District Administrator Patrik Lauer’s excitement was clearly noticeable.
Hundreds of people, including representatives from emergency services, clubs, schools, welfare organizations, businesses, workshops, and athletes of all ages will be participating in the Torch Day. Recently, three key participants of the Saarlouis Torch Day enthusiastically reported to the press at the district office, explaining why they will take part in this special event—and why it is so important to them. They are part of a total of 14 inclusively staffed torch-bearing pairs who will carry the torch (in this case, a mining lamp) throughout the day through the three district municipalities of Ensdorf, Dillingen, and Saarlouis. The evening will conclude after the stops in Ensdorf and Dillingen in Saarlouis, where the torch will be carried from the Kleiner Markt to the grand closing festival at Ravelin V starting at 6 p.m. There will be a free concert by the band “Dreierpasch,” a comedian performance, many interactive activities, information booths, as well as food and drinks.
Jonas Kammer from Gresaubach, 29 years old, was the first to speak to the representatives of the press, as he will be the first Torch Day participant on June 11 – weather permitting. It is planned that he, together with his brother Nils, will bring the torch by parachute to the Duhamel spoil tip near Ensdorf. There, he will be welcomed by many children from various schools, other guests, and the brass ensemble of the Saar Mining Band. In the morning, the first (mini) torch run with students from the Waldschule Saarwellingen is to take place on the spoil tip before the torch is then flown by paraglider to the Ensdorf sports center, where a large participatory festival with various other participants will take place.
The two brothers from Gresaubach are true parachuting professionals. Nils is a junior world champion, Jonas is a former squad/performance jumper in accuracy landing. Jonas reported during the press conference that they said yes immediately when asked about their contribution to the spectacle. Sports play a big role in the whole family, so it was a matter of course for them to participate: "Inclusion is an important issue that we are of course very happy to support."
As the second speaker in the discussion round, Luca Biwer (31) answered questions. The Rehlingen-Siersburg native will carry the torch across part of the Dillinger site, together with Dillinger’s Chief Human Resources Officer Joerg Disteldorf. Dillinger is the employer of the young paraplegic man; here he works in the Vocational Education Strategy department. Biwer, who is also the chairman of the association Luca’s Movement, which supports people in need and their families, emphasized that the torch day holds great significance for him: “When we carry the mining lamp across our site, we carry this message with it: respect, recognition, and a warm welcome for the athletes of the Special Olympics here in Saarland.” During their tour, the two will be accompanied by many employees: trainees, representatives for severely disabled employees, the company cycling sports group, other colleagues, as well as the factory band. Biwer said, “It is not a public run, but for us at the plant a very conscious and visible sign. Above all, the message is important: inclusion and participation are not only part of one event, but belong in everyday life, in clubs, schools, companies, and also here with us at the plant.”
And a torchbearer from another station also spoke: Nicole Arndt, 42, who is being sent by AWO Saarland along with 40 other athletes to the Special Olympics National Games. She is employed at the AWO workshop in Dillingen. At the National Games, she will now showcase her skills in her swimming disciplines: backstroke, freestyle, and relay. She already has a wealth of experience: as she reported, she was even nominated for the Special Olympics in Los Angeles in 2015 and won three gold medals there.
On the torch day, Nicole Arndt will carry the torch together with the mayor of Dillingen, Christian Finkler, for a part of the route through Dillingen. "Her" torch relay begins at the AWO workshop for people with disabilities on Konrad-Adenauer-Allee in Dillingen and leads through the Dillingen-Pachten residential area (Cäcilienstraße/Ursulinenstraße to the access/Ökosee parking lot). In addition to the Arndt/Finkler duo, three more torch relay pairs will start here, each consisting of athletes from AWO together with prominent partners. They are accompanied, among others, by AWO employees, residents, and staff from senior homes, the senior advisory board and inclusion advisory board of the city of Dillingen, and Lebenshilfe from the Saarlouis district. Also participating is the para-team rider and world championship silver medalist Ivonne Hellenbrand. The drummers of the music group „Gugge Mol“ set the musical rhythm for the torch march.
Nicole Arndt said at the press conference with full conviction: "I am happy to participate together with many other people." And regarding the Special Olympics National Games, which take place the following week, she emphasized that placement is not the most important thing for her: "The main thing is to have fun in sports and meet other people."
Everyone participating in the press conference was firmly convinced that this torch day would bring enormous joy to many people. District Administrator Patrik Lauer predicted: "I believe it will be a gigantic community festival, a wonderful friendship celebration, and a symbol of lived inclusion." He concluded with a heartfelt thank you for the willingness of the many helpers who will make this day something very special.
All information about the Torch Day can be found on the Saarlouis district's homepage,
www.kreis-saarlouis.de
Photo credit:
IMG_5705_small.jpg: They are already very much looking forward to the Torch Day in Saarlouis on Thursday, June 11, 2026 (from left): District Administrator Patrik Lauer and the torchbearers Jonas Kammer, Nicole Arndt, and Luca Biwer. Photo: Saarlouis District/Yannick Hoen
