We share Special Olympics’ commitment to creating happiness and their strong belief in social inclusion. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to be supporting the Special Olympics National Games 2017 in Sheffield, 7-12 August 2017. Find out more about the Games, our history with the charity, and how you can go along for free!

#Sheffield17 #SeeingIsBelieving

Largest disability multi-sports event in Great Britain in 2017

Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organisation for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. As a founding partner of Special Olympics GB (SOGB), the Coca-Cola system has been supporting the organisation since 1978 – when it was first founded in this country. SOGB exists to support people of all ages with an intellectual disability, through a programme of year-round sports training and competition, helping to improve self-esteem, develop friendships and enhance wellbeing for their participants. Over 150 local clubs in GB are run by volunteers, who help the athletes develop their social, sporting and life skills. And the National Games is Special Olympics GB’s showpiece event held every 4 years. It’s the largest disability multi-sports event in Great Britain in 2017.

“We deeply value our partnership with Special Olympics GB, which we’ve had since the organisation was first founded here in 1978. Especially as the values of Special Olympics match so closely with the values of our brand: which include social inclusivity and optimism.”
– Liz Lowe, Sustainability Manager Coca-Cola Great Britain

2,600 athletes will take part in 4 days of competition in 20 sports at over a dozen venues in Sheffield. And alongside the athletes are 800 coaches, 1,000 volunteers, 150 officials and more than 7,000 family and friends!

“The Special Olympics Great Britain National Games provide an inspirational opportunity to showcase the skills of the athletes and the joy of playing and competing in sport,” says Liz Lowe, Sustainability Manager Coca-Cola Great Britain. “It’s a chance to celebrate peoples’ abilities.

“We’re a very proud founding partner of Special Olympics Great Britain, and we’re really excited to support them to stage and raise awareness of the upcoming Games.”

We support SOGB all year round, not just during big events, such as the Winter and Summer Games every four years. After all, for the athletes, the lead-up to a major Games event involves years of training and competition through their local clubs. Our support and contribution to Special Olympics GB includes a regular annual donation, providing all the water for the athletes and behind the scenes at the Games and at events throughout the year. Our employees also organise fundraising for local clubs which takes a variety of formats and helps to pay for equipment and kit.

The Coca-Cola Foundation’s grant

Since its inception in 1984, The Coca-Cola Foundation has given more than $820 million worldwide to help support sustainability and communities. This year the Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded a £250,000 grant for Special Olympics Great Britain.

This funding will go towards:
• subsidising entry fees for every athlete entering the National Games 2017 to help reduce the financial burden on the athletes’ families and clubs  
• launching a GB-wide National Families Community Network, which will establish a user-friendly and accessible platform where families can access and share information as well as support
• leaving a lasting legacy for the Special Olympics movement in and around Yorkshire & Humberside after the Games is over

Karen Wallin, CEO of Special Olympics GB, says: “We’re extremely grateful that the Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded this grant towards the 2017 National Games. This will help local clubs send their athletes to the National Games, which will enable them to realise their ambitions and dreams. As well as establishing a lasting legacy for Special Olympics GB in the Yorkshire and Humberside region.  We’ll also be able to strengthen our community support networks for families of Special Olympics athletes – a crucial long-term strategy for us.”

“We deeply value our partnership with Special Olympics GB, which we’ve had since the organisation was first founded here in 1978,” says Liz. “Especially as the values of Special Olympics match so closely with the values of our brand: which include social inclusivity and optimism.”

“We’re extremely grateful that the Coca-Cola Foundation awarded this grant towards the 2017 National Games: in helping local clubs send their athletes to enable them to realise their ambitions and dreams.” – Karen Wallin, CEO of Special Olympics GB

Volunteering

The Coca-Cola system employees are also given the opportunity to volunteer and experience the very special atmosphere at Special Olympics events. For the National Games 2017, 65 Coca-Cola Great Britain and Coca-Cola European Partners employees will be heading to Sheffield to help support the athletes.

#fansinthestands: Everyone’s welcome (and it’s free!)

You can help support them too… Come along to the 10th Special Olympics GB National Summer Games in Sheffield from 7-12 August 2017.  Tickets are still available for the Opening Ceremony on 8 August at Sheffield United FC’s Bramall Lane stadium from as little as £5. 

Or come and cheer on the athletes at one of the sports venues across the city – entry is free!  For more information go to http://www.sheffield2017.org.uk

Find out how to support the Games

#fansinthestands
The Special Olympics National Games are taking place in Sheffield 7-12 August 2017.

Find out more and go along for free