Interview
Christiane Krajewski: “We want to strengthen Special Olympics
in Germany”
The president of Special Olympics Germany explains why the National Games
in Saarland were a great success and what the next goals of the sports association
are.
Ms. Krajewski, you were very much looking forward to the Special Olympics National Games 2026
in your home region of Saarland. They ended last weekend.
Are you still happy about it?
Christiane Krajewski: I am still deeply moved by the experience and yes – I am still happy!
In my heart remains the joy over everything I have seen, experienced, and enjoyed during these days – under bright sunshine and great heat. Our athletes are strong, they are resilient, they bravely give their best. With their attitude, they are role models for our society.
www.saarland2026.de
Successful integration of international delegations and local municipalities
Thibaut Langenberger at his successful powerlifting competition
What was special for you about the event in the heart of Europe?
For the first time, we were able to include an entire federal state as well as neighboring France and, in addition to the athletes from all 16 federal states, welcome 12 international delegations. Thanks to the hosts' initiative, the 27 sports were held in all districts with many involved municipalities. For the first time, there was a Host Town Program at the National Games. Municipalities invited foreign delegations and showed them Saarland.
These National Games Saarland 2026 have set new standards. The immediate response from the athletes, their families, and organizations is very positive. We will now thoroughly discuss the various opportunities as well as challenges within our large Special Olympics family and draw our conclusions from them.
20 companies, which supported the games as partners and sponsors, sent employees to Saarland for several days as corporate volunteers. What will these helpers take away for themselves personally and for the companies?
I have spoken personally with many volunteers. They invest their time, sometimes even their annual leave and all their energy. They will never forget these days and are emotionally touched. They take this feeling back to their companies, and it sustainably changes the corporate culture. Social and societal responsibility increases, and the way employees are treated changes. This creates a win-win situation for both sides.
In total, there are 33 companies and institutions that supported the games in Saarland as partners and sponsors. These partnerships are invaluable for Special Olympics Germany and especially for our athletes.
For six days, Saarland stood for lived inclusion. What will remain of it once the last posters have disappeared from the region?
The pride of the people of Saarland in the successful games remains. The sports infrastructure, which was sustainably improved by the state government, remains. Many people from politics, business, and society actively participated in the games. We want to build on this and continue this commitment to sports for people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Saarland and the Saarland State Sports Association have initiated programs in more than 150 primary school classes, which have already led to inclusive friendships. These programs will be continued sustainably. And last but not least, the increased self-confidence of many athletes remains.
Stronger together: The football players from Team Bruckberg in Bavaria
The media alliance of Special Olympics Germany has repeatedly reported nationwide about the National Games. How lasting will the impact of the National Games be on the rest of Germany?
We are very grateful to the media alliance. We can already say that National Games of Special Olympics Germany have never been covered so extensively. We will do everything possible to continue the cooperation with the media alliance and to provide further impetus for journalistic contributions through our activities.
I believe that the coverage of the successful games in Saarland has been noticed in every corner of Germany. Everywhere you could see and read about the great achievements of our athletes and how inclusion can be lived. I am sure it will motivate many people nationwide to support our goals.
After the games is before the games: What are the next goals that Special
Olympics Germany has set?
We are currently working on our strategic plan for the next four years, which we will adopt at our general meeting in November. For this purpose, our presidium and the federal management team already launched a comprehensive participation process last year together with the 16 Special Olympics state associations and the athlete representatives.
We want to strengthen Special Olympics in Germany. Offers should be easier to find, we want to attract more young people as members, and we want to make the diversity of local offerings visible. At the same time, we are working together on a more stable financial basis. After all, we are increasingly forming inclusive teams in both full-time and volunteer roles and strengthening our volunteer networks. Our guiding principle remains to use the unifying power of sports to create more participation for people with intellectual disabilities. This also includes inclusion in the areas of health, education, and work.
The questions were posed by Hartmut Augustin.
