Outdoor Events at the Special Olympics Summer Games Cancelled
Due to the ongoing heatwave, the outdoor events at the 9th Special Olympics National Summer Games 2026 in Vienna have been cancelled. As a result, the scheduled football competition at the ÖFB Campus, in which our Special Needs Team was set to participate, will no longer take place.
The decision was made on Thursday evening following the Opening Ceremony by the Organising Committee in consultation with the Board of Special Olympics Austria. With temperatures expected to reach 40°C (104°F) and official heat warnings in place, it was no longer possible to guarantee the safe staging of the outdoor competitions. The health and safety of all athletes, coaches, volunteers and staff remain the highest priority.
The cancellation affects competitions in football, cycling, athletics, golf and tennis. A total of 14 of the 19 sports will continue as planned at indoor venues.
For our Special Needs Team, this means that their participation in the National Summer Games has unfortunately come to an end following the Opening Ceremony. Our players and coaching staff had prepared extensively for this sporting highlight. While we are deeply disappointed that the football competition cannot go ahead, there is no doubt that the health and well-being of everyone involved must come first.
We would like to sincerely thank all the fans, families and supporters who had planned to cheer on our team in person or had already pledged their support. Your encouragement means a great deal to our athletes.
