In just 50 days, the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 will begin with the Opening Ceremony at Olympiastadion in Berlin. We cannot reveal everything about the program yet, but we can reveal a few things: you can look forward to the official Games Song by Madcon, a matching dance, the performance of over 300 artists and much more.
The grand Opening Ceremony will take place on 17 June 2023 at the Olympiastadion Berlin. Doors open from 6 pm, with the celebrations starting at 8 pm and lasting until 10h30 pm.
Starting signal
The Games will be opened by the patron of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Afterwards, in addition to other speeches and official elements, it will be one thing above all: a big party.
Games Song for #Berlin2023
Every major sporting event needs a catchy Games Song: "Are You Ready" is the official song of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 and the Norwegian pop-rap duo Madcon brought it to life for us.
Madcon will not only get us dancing with the official Games Song at the Opening Ceremony, but also with a medley of their greatest hits such as "Glow" and "Beggin'".
The members Tshawe Baqwa and Yosef Wolde-Mariam stand for a mixture of hip-hop, reggae and pop music, but above all for a positive attitude towards life, energetic rhythms and rousing melodies. Just right for our Games.
You can get a taste of the Games Song here:
The complete song will be published soon.
Everybody dance along!
We can all dance along to the energetic rhythms of our Games Song. The German Dance Association (Deutscher Tanzverband, short DTV) has rehearsed a choreography especially for us, which will also be danced by almost 700 DTV dancers at the Opening Ceremony.
Everyone in the stadium is invited to join in and dance together. What a goosebumps moment!
We will share the choreography with you very soon so that you can already prepare yourselves for this special moment.
Other artistic highlights
In addition to the live performance of the Games Song by Madcon, more than 300 artists, musicians, performing and visual artists from all over the world will present an inclusive show together with the Special Olympics athletes.
Unity, the mascot of #Berlin2023, will also perform, as will the Blue Man Group Berlin.
Official elements
Of course, the official elements that belong to an Opening Ceremony must not be missing: The entry of the torch after it has been ceremoniously lit in Athens. The parade of athletes from all delegations. The symbolic raising of the Special Olympics flag. And much more.
Fireworks in a class of their own
For the grand finale – and thus the opening of the world's largest inclusive sports event – there will be a brilliant fireworks display over the Olympiastadion and the skies of Berlin, which in turn will be the starting signal for great sporting events, unforgettable moments and unique encounters.
Are you ready? Get your ticket to the Opening Ceremony now!
