Forward: Successful Start for Five New Sports at the Special Olympics National Games

Successful start for five new sports in Saarland For the first time, the Special Olympics National Games also feature official competitions in artistic gymnastics, hockey, rowing, sailing, and 3x3 basketball. “3x3 basketball is faster than regular basketball and I really enjoy it,” says Dominik Markuszewski. His two teammates Lars Tigges and Pascal Bergner nod in agreement. The three belong to the Unified Baskets Essen and are warming up for their next game. They have already won several games. Their goal is clear: “We want to qualify for the Special Olympics World Games next year in Chile.” For the first time, 3x3 basketball is on the program at National Games in Germany. The basketball court is significantly smaller than in 5x5 basketball and there is only one basket. Three players from each team are on the court, taking turns either defending the basket or trying to score. In the middle of Saarbrücken, on Tbilisser Platz, the 3x3 basketball court stands, protected by a large white sunshade. This is necessary as the sun is shining and shining and shining… The atmosphere is great. The fans’ cheer can be heard from afar whenever the game is in action. Sometimes hundreds clap and cheer the teams on. Dominik, Lars, and Pascal enjoy this special atmosphere right in the city center. Besides 3x3 basketball, Saarland also features official competitions for the first time in artistic gymnastics, hockey, sailing, and rowing. Around 250 athletes are participating in these five sports. For the rowing competitions, a regatta course was specially set up on the Saar River. This brings a new sport into the program. “Our concept worked 100 percent. We have successfully established the new sports and are pleased with the successful premiere at the National Games,” says Tom Hauthal, Head of Sports and Education at Special Olympics Germany (SOD). Several steps must be completed before a new sport can be included in the National Games program. First, SOD and the Special Olympics state associations analyze which new sports people with intellectual disabilities are practicing locally. If the number of active participants in a certain sport increases significantly, it is checked whether there is already a Special Olympics International (SOI) rulebook for the corresponding competitions. This would then be adopted in Germany. The rulebook defines, among other things, athlete classification to organize fair performance groups. Additionally, event regulations for sports competitions are necessary. For example, these state that a maximum of eight athletes may start together in a performance group, so that everyone can be honored with a medal or ribbon at the end of the competitions. If no SOI rulebook exists yet, one must be created first. “That was the case with rowing. Together with the German and international rowing associations, we developed this rulebook for ourselves and Special Olympics International,” says Tom Hauthal. If the number of athletes in a new sport is large enough, the rulebook and event regulations are in place, and there is an appropriate sports venue at the site of the National Games, then the sport can be added to the program. More female participants through smaller teams Tom Hauthal finds it very important to continue developing the Special Olympics sports program. “If we want to achieve more local participation in sports, then we also need to offer more opportunities, for example through an even broader range of sports,” he says. 3x3 basketball is also a good example of opening the doors of team sports to more girls and women with intellectual disabilities. “When teams are smaller, it is easier to find female teammates than with 5x5 basketball,” says the SOD sports director. Text: Hartmut Augustin