Issued on: 12.06.2026
Press Release 90/2026
Information board honors Jo Deckarm and sets a sign for inclusion in Saarland
Interior Minister Reinhold Jost honors one of Saarland's greatest athletes with an information board at the entrance of the Jo-Deckarm-Halle and draws a connection to the Special Olympics 2026.
In the form of a large-scale wrap on the two entrance doors of the Jo-Deckarm sports hall, Saarland brings an extraordinary personality of its sports history into the spotlight: Joachim "Jo" Deckarm. Interior Minister Reinhold Jost initiated the new design to keep the memory of one of the region's most significant athletes alive and at the same time to send a message of courage, solidarity, and inclusion.
“Joachim Deckarm is one of the greatest athletes the Saarland has ever produced. Many know the name of the hall, but not the impressive life story of the man behind it. We want to change that,” explains Interior Minister Reinhold Jost.
Deckarm was considered the best handball player in the world in the 1970s. With the German national team, he became world champion in 1978, won numerous national and international titles, and impressed not only with his athletic excellence but also with fairness and humility. After a tragic sports accident in 1979, he suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and had to fight his way back to a completely new life after 131 days in a coma. His motto "I want, I can, I must!" became a symbol of willpower, perseverance, and courage to live.
For Interior Minister Jost, this life story is of particular importance: "Joachim Deckarm not only stands for athletic excellence. Above all, he represents the strength to never give up, even under the most difficult conditions. In this way, he is a role model for our society far beyond the realm of sports."
The vehicle wrapping gains special significance due to the upcoming Special Olympics National Games Saarland 2026. Already next week, the Jo-Deckarm-Halle will be the venue for competitions of Germany's largest inclusive multi-sport event. Thousands of athletes, coaches, family members, and guests are expected to attend the games. For the first time, competitions will be held throughout an entire federal state and partly across borders. A total of 27 sports are on the program.
“The values that Special Olympics represent are particularly fitting for Joachim Deckarm,” emphasizes Jost. “It’s about respect, participation, commitment to performance, and the recognition of every single person. Jo Deckarm’s story clearly shows that physical or mental limitations never determine a person’s worth.”
The new design of the hall therefore connects memory and future: it honors an exceptional athlete from Saarland and at the same time makes visible what the Special Olympics stand for – an open, inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to showcase their strengths.
"Jo Deckarm is a piece of Saarland identity. Especially now, as the eyes of Germany are focused on the Special Olympics in Saarland, we send from this place the clear message: performance, humanity, and inclusion belong inseparably together," said Interior Minister Reinhold Jost.
Information on usage can be found at:
Image source: MIBS/A. Weber.
