Liverpool unable to host 2022 Special Olympics GB National Summer Games

Liverpool City Council has announced t will be unable to host the rescheduled Special Olympics GB National Summer Games in 2022.

The decision to postpone the 2021 games was made in late May, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but having explored all the options for the Games to take place in Liverpool in 2022, the city council has opted t0 withdraw its offer to host the competition.

The uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and Liverpool’s crowded event calendar in 2022 are understood to have played their part in reaching this difficult decision. Liverpool is currently expected to host the World Gymnastics Championships in 2022. The serious financial impact of the pandemic on the city’s finances was also a factor in deciding to pull-out of the event.

We simply have been unable to find a suitable solution that would do the athletes justice

– Joe Anderson

A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: “The city council feels it has no choice and has informed the board for the Games that it will be unable to host the event in the city.”

“I am both personally and professionally devastated that Liverpool will not be able to host the rearranged 2021 Special Olympics National Summer Games,” said Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson.

“Liverpool produced an ambitious and innovative bid for the 2021 Games that promised athletes would have the time of their lives and we were wholeheartedly committed to doing just that. None of us could have foreseen a global pandemic that has derailed the plans on such an unprecedented scale and whilst our values have not deviated, it is inevitable that plans have had to be reassessed.

“My team have worked extremely hard over the last two months following the postponement of the 2021 event to find a way in which Liverpool could host the event in 2022.

“We simply have been unable to find a suitable solution that would do the athletes justice.

“It is with a heavy heart that we will not be able to host this event. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of Special Olympics GB the very best and we would welcome the opportunity to work with them in the future, when the time is right. I would also like to express my thanks to the Liverpool 2021 Board for their commitment, support and understanding.”

Covid-19 has had, and continues to have, a huge impact both mentally and physically on our athletes

– Paul Richardson

Paul Richardson, Chair of Special Olympics GB Board of Trustees said: “As you can imagine everyone at Special Olympics GB is deeply disappointed and saddened that Liverpool City Council has made this decision – none more so than our athletes. Covid-19 has had, and continues to have, a huge impact both mentally and physically on our athletes, and this decision will be felt deeply.

“The work now begins on our next steps and what realistically can be achieved under these unprecedented and challenging times. On behalf of Special Olympics GB, we would like to thank everyone involved for their hard-work and dedication as part of this journey and we very much hope our paths will cross again in the future.”

Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) was established in 1978, and is a non-profit organisation that provides year-round sports coaching and athletic competition in summer and winter sports for children and adults with Intellectual disabilities.