Special Olympics GB Announce Sheffield as Host City for 2017 National Summer Games

Special Olympics GB has confirmed that the 2017 National Summer Games will be held in Sheffield from 7-11 August 2017.

It will be the second time the multi-sports event, allergy the 10^th in the history of the organisation, will be held in Sheffield and is expected to attract 2,000 athletes, 500 voluntary coaches and an estimated 5,000 family members.

The Sheffield Hallam University Athletics Stadium, Sheffield City Trust’s Ponds Forge International Sports Centre and the English Institute of Sport Sheffield are among the venues that will host the UK’s biggest disability sports event for the Games.

Special Olympics GB’s National Summer Games is the showpiece event held every four years for the organisation and its athletes.

Councillor Julie Dore, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Sheffield has been selected to host the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games in three years’ time.

“The decision is testament to the fact that Sheffield is a great sporting city, home to the sort of world-leading venues that befit a highly prestigious event such as this.

“This is another opportunity for our communities to get involved in a wonderful celebration of all things sporting.’’

Karen Wallin, Special Olympics GB’s CEO, said: “We are thrilled to be heading back to Sheffield.  We expect in the region of 2,000 athletes and 500 voluntary coaches – supported by a further 500 volunteers and estimated 5,000 family members – to visit Sheffield in the summer of 2017 for our biggest national event which takes place every four years.

“We are sure that the great City of Sheffield will provide a very successful and hugely memorable event for our athletes, their families, coaches and volunteers.”