CLEVELAND (WJW) — Cleveland is a city built on grit, perseverance and an unbreakable spirit—qualities that align perfectly with the values of the Special Olympics.
It was this shared spirit that brought Governor Mike DeWine and a powerhouse team of sports and civic leaders to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Thursday morning, where they made a compelling case for why Cleveland should host the 2030 Special Olympics.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine emphasized the state’s deep-rooted love for sports and, more importantly, for its Special Olympics athletes.
“If you know Cleveland, if you know Ohio, you know we love sports. But we also love our Special Olympic athletes,” shared Governor DeWine.
David Gilbert, CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, acknowledged the challenges of hosting an event of this magnitude but stressed that the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs.
“This event is hard to host, it’s expensive to host, but it’s all incredibly well worth it. And our focus is on legacy.”
This bid isn’t just about bringing a world-class event to Cleveland—it’s about leaving a lasting impact. For local athletes like Sophie Coffenberry, the opportunity to compete in front of a hometown crowd would be life-changing.
“But most importantly, it would be a chance to put Ohio on the map. We have three major sports teams here, so we will have a lot of volunteers.”
Beyond the competition itself, Cleveland’s bid is a testament to the city’s commitment to celebrating ability over limitations, empowering athletes, and uniting the community.
The Special Olympics site selection committee still has decisions to make, but Cleveland’s message couldn’t be clearer—this city is ready, passionate, and determined to welcome the world in 2030.
Nic Barlage, CEO of Rock Entertainment Group, underscored the power of sports in fostering growth and joy.
“Sports has that unique opportunity to extract the joy and development from people. And we think that this opportunity for us and Northeast Ohio is such a prime opportunity.”
A final decision is expected in the coming months, but regardless of the outcome, Cleveland has already proven it’s all in. And that commitment means everything to people like Jessica Stewart, CEO of Special Olympics Ohio.
“Cleveland, I have never seen so much support, and I just want to thank you all for being part of this.”
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