Chile celebrates official launch of Special Olympics 2027

Chile has officially launched preparations for the 2027 Special Olympics World Games, set to take place in Santiago. This marks a historic occasion as it will be the first time the prestigious event is hosted in a Spanish-speaking country.

The games, scheduled from October 16 to 24, 2027, are expected to draw more than six thousand athletes with intellectual disabilities from 170 nations. They will compete across 23 different sports, showcasing their talents and dedication on a global stage.

Carolina Picasso, president of Special Olympics Chile, emphasized the broader goals beyond the competition itself. "Chile cannot just be the country that organizes the games; it has to be the country that takes advantage of these games to generate change," she stated during the launch ceremony. The initiative aims to build lasting capacity within Chilean institutions and society to enhance visibility for disabilities and promote inclusion in various sectors.

The vision for Santiago 2027 extends to creating more opportunities in schools, sports, employment, and life in general. "We want more opportunities in schools, in sports, in work, and in life in general," Picasso added. The ultimate aspiration is for Chile to transform into a more just nation, where "the real gold medal will be that we can say Chile has transformed into a more just country."

This will be the 17th edition of the Special Olympics World Games, an event founded in Chicago in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver to champion the inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities. A significant aspect of the Santiago games will be the "Unified Sports" model, where athletes with and without intellectual disabilities team up to compete together. This inclusive spirit was demonstrated at the ceremony, with athletes participating in sports alongside attending ministers and authorities.