Sheffield to host 2017 National Summer Games

Special Olympics GB has confirmed its 2017 National Summer Games will be held in Sheffield from Monday 7 August to Friday 11 August 2017.

Held every four years, the Games is the largest disability sports event in the UK and features nearly 2,000 athletes with intellectual (learning) disabilities, competing across 12 sports.

Venues for the Games will include the Sheffield Hallam University City Athletics Stadium; Sheffield City Trust’s Ponds Forge International Sports Centre; Hillsborough Leisure Centre; Concord Sports Centre; Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre; the English Institute of Sport Sheffield and Forge Valley School

Sheffield City Council will deliver the event in partnership with Sheffield International Venues (SIV), which runs key sites such as the English Institute of Sport and Ponds Forge. Marketing Sheffield will be leading on the accommodation aspect of the Games.

Councillor Julie Dore, leader of Sheffield City Council, said: "The decision is testament to the fact that Sheffield is a great sporting city and we estimate the economic benefit hosting the games in Sheffield will be in the region of £1.5m."

"From world-class venues such as the English Institute of Sport and Ponds Forge, to the multi award-winning Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Sheffield really does have it all.

"However, this isn’t just about places, but about people. 'Sheffielders' are well known for their love of sport, in what is our welcoming and inclusive city. “This is another opportunity for our communities to get involved in a wonderful celebration of all things sporting."

Background

• Special Olympics GB is the largest registered charity providing year-round sports training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual (learning) disabilities. Almost 1.2 million people in the UK (2 per cent of the population) have an intellectual disability.

• It will be the second time that the Games have been held in the steel city – the last time was in 1993.