The FIVB met with Special Olympics this week in Berlin, Germany to discuss opportunities for collaboration in the future as both organisations strive for inclusion in sport.

The meeting was attended by FIVB Head of Technical and Development Steve Tutton and department manager Hitesh Malhotra, as well as the CEO of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, Sven Albrecht, and Senior Director of Organizational Development at Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Region Office, Krzysztof Krukowski.

The FIVB and Special Olympics discussed various opportunities for future collaboration, including knowledge transfer programmes, joint sponsorship efforts, the cross promotion of athletes and working together for the development of volleyball worldwide.

FIVB Head of Technical and Development Steve Tutton said:

“It was a pleasure to meet with Special Olympics to explore opportunities for future collaboration as we share similar values of inclusivity, a healthy lifestyle and empowerment. We look forward to joining forces to continue our efforts in ensuring volleyball’s development worldwide as the sport will be part of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.”

Krzysztof Krukowski, the Senior Director of Organizational Development at Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Region Office, said:

“The meeting in Berlin is an important step in preparations for future collaboration between the FIVB and Special Olympics. Volleyball at the Berlin Games will be one of 26 sports in which ID (intellectual disability) athletes will participate. We believe that this event will be the perfect initial stage of our future cooperation with the FIVB, as a result of which Special Olympics athletes will become a significant part of the global Volleyball Family. We are confident that our joint efforts will help implement the plan to further popularise volleyball worldwide.”

Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 CEO Sven Albrecht said:

“We are very proud that the Special Olympics Word Games Berlin 2023 are the first step for the cooperation between the Special Olympics and the

 FIVB. Our aim is to implement the plan to further develop and raise the popularity of volleyball among people worldwide.”

Special Olympics is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability.