After being recommended to host the 2030 Special Olympic Games in June, the decision became official.
On
Wednesday afternoon, representatives from the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and the Special Olympics held a press conference to sign documents confirming the decision to host the 2030 games in Cleveland.
You can watch the full press conference in the player below:
Bob Klonk, who serves as the board chair for the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, said the 2030 Special Olympic Games could bring more than $70 million in economic impact to Cleveland. He said it will also improve community engagement.
"It'll bring more than $70 million of economic impact to this area," Klonk said. "Far more important than that, the community engagement that will occur from hosting the 2030 Special Olympics USA Games will be unprecedented."
County Executive Chris Ronayne spoke on Wednesday, saying the authenticity of Cleveland helps attract events such as the 2030 Special Olympics.
"This is what Cleveland does," Ronayne said. "We are at the crossroads of a great sports town, but also a town that cares about all people."
Monica Gustin with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission broke down the basics surrounding the Special Olympics, which are held every four years.
She said there are usually over 4,500 athletes who compete from across the country, as well as over 1,500 coaches.
Cleveland is the seventh host of the eight-day event.
Trina Evans with Key Bank wrapped up Wednesday's press conference with an announcement that Key Bank has made a $1 million commitment to the 2030 Special Olympics.
"Cleveland is our hometown, we are the hometown bank," Evans said. "Supporting the games is just one way we can invest in our hometown.
Earlier this year, the field was narrowed down to Cleveland and Nashville, with each hosting the committee to showcase the venues and amenities their respective cities have to offer.
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The committee spent several days in Cleveland back in early February.
Gov. Mike DeWine was among those present at the time, promoting the city during an event at Rocket Arena.
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"If you know Cleveland, if you know Ohio, this is a city that loves sports, this is a state that loves sports, but we also love our Special Olympic athletes," DeWine said at the time. "I think that combination coming together is a great reason, besides the great facilities you're seeing here today, great reasons that we're picked for 2030."
Special Olympics North America Senior Vice President Gary Simaglia, who was part of the selection committee, said during his February visit, they were impressed with the city and its offerings, but equally impressed by its people.
"Above and beyond what we've seen so far is just the tremendous amount of pride in everyone we've met and talked to," Simaglia said.
It's what has been the city's secret sauce in landing big events in the past and played a factor in the decision to go public with their bid last September in an effort to get people to sign up now to volunteer later.
They had more than 10,000 people sign up.
"You don't understand, events like the RNC we had 2,500 volunteers. Ten thousand is an astounding number," said. "And those are the kinds of things that we believe had them choose Cleveland over other cities. They saw how passionately this community wanted them from top to bottom."
The games would bring more than 5,000 athletes, coaches, and officials, along with over 10,000 friends and family, to Northeast Ohio for more than a week.
That would generate an economic impact of $70 million.
However, the games are not just about the money spent, but also about the legacy left behind.
Cuyahoga County Board of Development Disabilities CEO Amber Gibbs told News 5 that when the bid was launched, they've seen in other host communities that had been able to build on the programs put in place to make those with disabilities feel more welcome and inclusive.
"So to have the games and to increase the amount of awareness and the sense of community around people with disabilities will only improve that for Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio. So we can't wait to welcome the Special Olympics here to Cleveland," Gibbs said.
Next year's games will be held in Minneapolis, and Gilbert said they will dispatch a large contingent to study how the games are carried out.
Then, Cleveland will be on the clock for 2030.
