Girona to Host Second Adapted and Inclusive Sports Day

Girona is preparing to transform its city center into a hub of accessibility and athletic diversity. On Sunday, April 26, the city will host the second Jornada d’Esport Adaptat i Inclusiu (Adapted and Inclusive Sports Day), an initiative designed to bridge the gap between the general public and the reality of athletes living with disabilities.

Driven by the Diputació de Girona, the event is a collaborative effort featuring the Ajuntament de Girona and the Generalitat de Catalunya. The program is supported by a network of foundations, sports associations, and entities from across the region, all aiming to promote social integration and equal opportunity through physical activity.

The event is specifically designed for individuals with physical, psychic, intellectual, or sensory disabilities, as well as those with mental health disorders. However, organizers have opened the invitation to the entire population to encourage coexistence and a deeper understanding of inclusive athletics.

A Diverse Menu of Inclusive Athletics

The second edition of the event focuses on “experiències reals”—real experiences—allowing participants to engage directly with adapted sports. The activities will be spread across two primary locations in the heart of the city: Plaça de Calvet i Rubalcaba and Plaça de Salvador Espriu.

The variety of sports available reflects a commitment to comprehensive inclusion, offering everything from high-intensity competition to sensory-focused recovery. The planned activities include:

• Team Sports: Adapted volleyball, basketball, futsal, and wheelchair rugby (alongside adapted rugby).
• Technical & Precision Sports: Boccia, slalom, and athletics.
• Water & Nature Simulators: Surf and SUP (Stand Up Paddle) simulators, and a sailing simulator.
• Specialized Equipment: Joëlette (all-terrain wheelchairs for hiking).
• Art & Wellness: Adapted martial arts, dance, and a dedicated “Espai de Calma” (Calm Space).

The Push for “Normalization”

During a presentation at the Casa de Cultura de Girona, officials emphasized that the event is more than just a sports festival; it is a step toward the “normalization” of adapted sports. Jordi Masquef, the deputy for sports, argued that a sports system cannot be considered complete if it does not guarantee that every person can access it under equal conditions.

The initiative is a direct result of the work done by the Taula de l’Esport Adaptat, a consultative body attached to the Diputació’s sports service. By bringing these activities into public squares, the organizers intend to move the conversation about disability from the sidelines into the center of civic life.

For those unfamiliar with the terminology, “adapted sports” refers to the modification of existing sports rules or equipment to allow people with disabilities to participate, while “inclusive sports” focuses on creating environments where people with and without disabilities play together.

Institutional Support and Regional Context

The event’s scale is made possible by a trifecta of regional governance. Alongside Masquef, the presentation included Quim Ayats, the second deputy mayor of the Ajuntament de Girona, and Narcís Casassa, the Generalitat’s territorial representative for sports in Girona.

This “Jornada” is closely linked to the broader Congrés Gironí de l’Esport Adaptat i Inclusiu. While the day of activities provides a hands-on experience for the public, the associated congress serves as a meeting point for agents in leisure, health, and competition to create networks and identify barriers to accessibility in urban and natural environments.

Event Logistics and Access

The event is free and open to the public. However, there are slight discrepancies in the reported scheduling across official channels that attendees should note:

The focus on central city squares ensures that the event is highly visible, forcing a temporary transformation of the urban landscape to accommodate adapted equipment and inclusive movement.

For more information on ongoing accessibility efforts in the region, the Diputació de Girona maintains a list of adapted activities, including accessible kayaking on the Costa Brava.

The next confirmed checkpoint for the event is the activity day itself on April 26. Local residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the city center to participate in the simulations and sports trials.

Do you think cities should mandate more inclusive sports festivals in public squares? Let us know in the comments.