CLEVELAND — The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission has officially submitted its bid to host the 2030 Special Olympics USA Games. However, it still needs your help to help make this dream a reality.
The proposal to hold the event in the city as well as surrounding areas was submitted to the Special Olympics Committee last month, with assistance from Special Olympics Ohio, Destination Cleveland, and others. The commission first announced its intention to bid for the Games last month, with President and CEO David Gilbert calling it an "opportunity to host one of the most significant gatherings our region has ever seen."
So far, the bid includes more than 10,700 signatures from Ohioans pledging to "host, volunteer, attend ceremonies or cheer on the athletes as spectators," a major component of the selection process. While the submission has been put forth, the commission says another 4,500 signatures are still needed, with a deadline to reach that goal set for Dec. 1. Pledges can be offered at SpecialOlympicsCleveland.com.
"We are grateful for the overwhelming support we've received from communities across Ohio and Clevelanders alike," the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission said in a statement Wednesday. "The bid process provides a chance to showcase Northeast Ohio as the premier destination for inclusion with an unrivaled history of hosting world class events and a relentless commitment to longstanding legacy."
The Special Olympics USA Games are just one elements of the global Special Olympics movement launched in 1968 and have been held every four years since 2006, with the next gathering coming to Minnesota's Twin Cities in 2026. The eight-day event features more than 16 sports and "daily programs focused on athlete and family wellness," with upwards of 5,500 athletes and over 100,000 family members and spectators attending.
Should Cleveland succeed in its effort to host the Special Olympics USA Games, officials estimate it could bring more than $70 million to the area economy. It would also be just the latest major sporting event to come to the shores of Lake Erie, with the NCAA Women's Final Four and the Pan-American Masters Games being held in Northeast Ohio in just 2024 alone.
