The ninth edition of the Austrian Special Olympics Summer Games began on Thursday in Vienna. They are gathering around 1,800 athletes with intellectual disabilities until June 30th, more than ever before. In total, competitions in 19 sports were to be held at twelve locations throughout Vienna. The heat meant that competitions in four disciplines had to be canceled. But this exceptional situation showed what makes the Special Olympics so special. The organizational team, together with the technical delegates, numerous partners and committed private individuals, managed to create suitable alternatives for almost all canceled competitions.
