Special Olympics to “Light Up” the Globe to Celebrate Unity and Inclusion

This event will be a powerful demonstration of tolerance, respect and celebration of difference -- bringing awareness and urgency about the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in communities worldwide.

“Inclusion is the most urgent theme of our times.  For this and much more, we are so grateful to the communities and supporters around the world who are standing with Special Olympics to shine a light on the dignity, value and limitless potential of people with intellectual disabilities," said David Evangelista, President and CEO, Special Olympics International. "'Light Up for Inclusion' is a global call to choose respect over prejudice, joy without judgement- helping end discrimination for our population on and off the field of play."

Dozens of landmarks worldwide are participating in the Light Up for Inclusion initiative. Participants include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Aqaba Fortress, Aqaba, Jordan
2. Story Bridge, Brisbane, Australia
3. Breakfast Creek and Yowoggera Bridges, Newstead, Australia
4. Diwang Tower, Liuzhou City, China
5. National Aquatics Center/Water Cube, Beijing, China
6. Federal Ministry of Culture, Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
7. Torre Espacial,  Buenos Aires, Argentina
8. Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City, Mexico
9. Arco Morisco, Lima, Peru
10. Torre del Reformador, Guatemala City, Guatemala
11. Niagara Falls, Canada
12. Bank of America Buildings, Charlotte, NC (HQ) & Chicago, IL, USA
13. Scissortail Bridge, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
14. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Playhouse Square, Cleveland Public Library, Progressive Field (Cleveland Guardians), Public Square, Terminal Tower, West Side Market and Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH, USA **(As the host city of the 2030 Special Olympics USA Games, Cleveland is leading a citywide "Light Up for Inclusion" celebration with participating landmarks)

The “Light Up for Inclusion” initiative is a highlight of Special Olympics’ Global Week of Inclusion (July 20-26), an annual celebration of unity, empowerment, and respect worldwide. Throughout this week, which also marks the 58 ^th anniversary of Special Olympics’ founding, videos and stories across social media platforms and elsewhere showcase how the world is a more joyful and welcoming place when people with -- and without -- intellectual disabilities can play, lead and work together.

For more information on participating in the Light Up for Inclusion initiative, please contact inclusion@specialolympics.org .

#LightUpforInclusion #GlobalWeekofInclusion #ChooseToInclude

About Special Olympics

Founded in 1968 , Special Olympics is a global sports movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health and leadership. With more than 5.1 million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and over one million coaches and volunteers in more than 200 countries and territories, Special Olympics offers over  30 Olympic-type sports  and over 80,000 games and competitions every year . Engage with us on:  X ,  Facebook ,  YouTube ,  Instagram ,  TikTok , and  LinkedIn . Learn more at  SpecialOlympics.org .

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