In less than two weeks the Special Olympics Winter Games Bavaria will start in Bad Tölz.
Final preparations are under way just before the start.
Bad Tölz – Only a few more days until the Special Olympics Winter Games Bavaria, Soby for short, start in Bad Tölz.
Over 600 athletes with mental and multiple disabilities are expected in the spa town from January 23rd to 26th.
Sebastian Stuhlinger, head of the Soby office and responsible for marketing and communication, explains what still needs to be done by then and whether the lack of snow is a problem.
Special Olympics Winter Games: 620 athletes and 300 coaches come to Tölz
A total of 620 athletes and around 300 trainers will come to Tölz.
"Arrival is individual," explains Stuhlinger.
“Some of the delegations arrive on the weekend before the event, some on the opening day.
Participation in the Winter Games is sometimes also integrated into a longer free time.”
The accommodation at the venue is just as individual as the arrival of the athletes.
"From holiday homes to guesthouses, inns to hotels, everything is there," says Stuhlinger.
He currently has no information that delegations are still looking for accommodation.
"That's usually a good sign," he says.
You can find more current news from the region around Bad Tölz at Merkur.de/Bad Tölz.
There is still work to be done before the games start
There is still a lot to organize before the Olympic spirit can blow through the spa town.
"Many deliveries and material transports have to be coordinated," explains Stuhlinger.
"The lunchtime catering is finalized, and the helpers also receive the latest operational information.
Clothing is sorted and put together, schedules and direction plans are coordinated and clarified with those involved,” he enumerates.
"And of course there are many agreements with the city, the supporting associations and the service providers involved."
During the days of the competition, the athletes will compete in ten sports in different venues: on the Flinthöhe in climbing, figure skating, short track and dancing, in the triple gymnasium in floorball, on the Brauneck in cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, alpine skiing and snowboarding and in Schaftlach im stock sport.
Opening ceremony on January 23rd on the Isar Promenade
There is a lot to offer, and not just on the sporting side.
There is also a colorful supporting programme.
The Special Olympics Winter Games begin on January 23 with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. on the Isar Promenade.
The spectators can look forward to the parade of the athletes.
"There are rounds of talks with official representatives and the faces of the games, performances by local music groups and inclusive projects," says Stuhlinger.
He describes the ceremony of the opening ceremony with the hoisting of the flag, the taking of the oaths and the lighting of the fire as a special highlight.
Colorful supporting program
It continues on January 24th with a family evening in the Kurhaus, and on January 25th there is a disco for athletes and helpers on the forecourt of the ice rink.
According to Stuhlinger, there will also be performances and discussions at the graduation ceremony on January 26th.
"The flag will be lowered and handed over to the host of the national games in 2025.
And the fire will be extinguished.”
Visitors can look forward to exciting and sportingly fair competitions
According to Stuhlinger, the residents of Tölz and visitors can look forward to exciting and sportingly fair competitions over the four days.
"And to athletes who show with their participation that sport and exercise can be the key to positive cooperation and a step on the way to more participation."
Missing snow?
"Certainly not good"
And how do you deal with the lack of snow in view of the winter sports competitions?
"Currently, the situation is not good," admits Stuhlinger.
"Looking at the next two weeks, the prognosis isn't too bad, and we're hoping for cold and snow," says Stuhlinger.
"Internally, we are examining different options and possibilities for holding the competitions in the snow sports."
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