From 25 to 30 June 2026, Vienna became the stage for an extraordinary sporting event: the 9th National Special Olympics Summer Games. They were the largest Games in the history of Special Olympics Austria – and the first to take place in Vienna again since 1998.
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Even temperatures of up to 40°C could not dampen the enthusiasm and determination of everyone involved. Around 1,800 athletes, supported by 800 volunteers, coaches, families and fans, created an atmosphere shaped by passion, perseverance and mutual support.
UNIQA has been the main partner of Special Olympics Austria since 2022 and proudly supported the Summer Games as Gold Sponsor. The partnership reflects our strong commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities. UNIQA employees volunteered throughout the Games, supporting competitions, assisting participants and visitors, and helping behind the scenes. As René Knapp, Member of the Management Board (Asset Management, Personal Lines, People & Brand), explains:
“The National Summer Games of Special Olympics Austria in Vienna show impressively how powerful sport can be: it strengthens self-confidence, opens up new perspectives and promotes genuine participation. As main sponsor, UNIQA lives this attitude out of conviction. We are especially proud to provide the largest volunteer contingent with more than 250 colleagues and to make an important contribution to the success of the Games.”
Fotocredit: Helmut Laufenböck
The spirit of the Games continues in UNIQA’s latest “living better together stories” series. Through the experiences of swimmer Kiara, volunteer Kamila, table tennis coach Richard, and long-time athlete Reinhard, the series highlights the many people who make Special Olympics possible. Their stories show that remarkable achievements are built on encouragement, dedication, and teamwork.
Under the motto “For the Love of the Games” it shows how the power of inclusion and the countless small efforts come together to create something extraordinary. Whether in the pool, at the table tennis court, behind the scenes or from the sidelines, every contribution matters. Together, they create an environment in which people can grow, participate and succeed. The stories are now available on UNIQA’s social media channels and on uniqa.at. They invite audiences to discover what made the Special Olympics Summer Games 2026 such an inspiring example of what it means to live better together.
Tip for further viewing:
More photos from the Special Olympics Summer Games are available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/so-austria/collections
The spots of the current ot of the new "living better together"-story: gemeinsam besser leben - Storys
Credits: Photos: Special Olympics Austria, GEPA Pictures // Videos: papabogner & MXR Productions for UNIQA
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