Delegations arrived for accreditation starting at 9 a.m., leading into a morning warm-up and a coaches’ meeting before the official march-in.
Mayor Daniel Keip Opens the Event
Brandenburg an der Havel Mayor Daniel Keip officially opened the inclusive swimming competition at 11 a.m. Following the opening ceremony, classification races began ahead of a brief midday break, which set up the afternoon relay events and finals.
Athletes displayed high motivation and commitment throughout the day. Competition focused heavily on fair play, mutual support, and the joy of competing together.
Award Ceremonies and Community Support at the Pool
Several award ceremony blocks honored the participants’ achievements. Alexandra Adel, the city’s commissioner for youth, social affairs, health, education, and sports, presented the awards alongside Matthias Pietschmann and Nadine Leetz from the executive board of Lebenshilfe Brandenburg-Potsdam. Pietschmann also served as the event’s master of ceremonies.
Food and health services operated outside the pool deck to support participants and volunteers. Lebenshilfe departments provided homemade baked goods, and the Lebenshilfe workshop packed lunch boxes ahead of time. The “Gesund im Mund” (Special Smiles) initiative, part of Healthy Athletes, offered dental health education. Dr. Michael Egermann and Dr. Jacqueline Kuratz teamed up with the Brandenburg State Dental Association to inform attendees about proper dental care.
Organization and Water Safety Provided by Regional Partners
Lebenshilfe Brandenburg-Potsdam and Special Olympics Brandenburg organized the meet. ASC Brandenburg assisted with operations, while the DLRG managed water safety. Numerous volunteers contributed to the day’s execution, including individuals with intellectual disabilities who assisted with setup and management.
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