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Little athletes, big dreams: The World Games in Cologne promote inclusion!
Find out more about the World Dwarf Games 2023 in Cologne, which celebrates and promotes inclusive sports for people of short stature.
Little athletes, big dreams: The World Games in Cologne promote inclusion!
The World Dwarf Games (WDG) took place in the summer of 2023 at the German Sport University Cologne and brings the largest multi-sport event for athletes with short stature to Germany for the first time. The organizer of this important event was the Federal Association of People of Short Stature and Their Families (BKMF) e.V. With over 500 participants from 25 countries and more than 2,000 spectators, the event became a highlight in the sporting world. The German Sport University Cologne reports that the WDG offers a platform to enable athletes with short stature to compete “at eye level”.
The WDG, which has taken place every four years since 1993, is not only a festival of sport, but also a symbol of inclusion. Many athletes who compete in the WDG found their way into competitive sports through these games. The aim of this event is to encourage people under 1.50 meters worldwide to become active and take part in various sports, which also promotes the visibility of disability sports. Wikipedia highlights that the WDG attracted international media attention and raised awareness of skeletal dysplasia.
Scientific support and analysis
As part of the games, the Institute for Biomechanics and Orthopedics at the German Sport University Cologne carried out comprehensive biomechanical examinations with the athletes. Around 150 people were examined and the surveys included 3D movement analysis, anthropometric body scans, competition analysis as well as sprint and jumping strength tests. The German Sport University Cologne announced that the collected data will serve as the basis for several specialist publications in which students are also involved.
In addition, a brochure on the subject of exercise for achondroplasia is provided, in which Dr. Johannes Funken took part. It is entitled “Special features of achondroplasia and sport” and is aimed at parents and professionals to educate about the benefits of sport for children with achondroplasia. Information about motor performance and practical tips for doing sports are part of the extensive content. The brochure was published by Biomarin Pharmaceutical.
Inclusion and social impact
The significance of the WDG extends far beyond the sporting context. If the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires equal participation in sports activities, considerable efforts are still needed in Germany to achieve inclusion in competitive sports. Organized sports for the disabled in Germany have historical roots that go back to the 19th century. The Federal Agency for Civic Education explains the challenges and progress made in recent decades.
A variety of integrative sports projects already exist, but there is often a discrepancy between the demands and the actual implementation. Access to sports clubs is often difficult for people with disabilities, which hinders inclusion in sports. However, the last WDGs have shown how such events can not only promote sporting ambitions, but also reduce prejudices and strengthen social acceptance of people with disabilities.
On a global level, prominent athletes participating in WDG help raise awareness of the capabilities of people with dwarfism. The next WDG is already scheduled for 2027 in Australia and the growth of the games is seen as a sign of increased interest in inclusive sport. The World Dwarf Games are therefore a decisive step towards inclusion and recognition.