The Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 logo was revealed on 14 December 2021 during a televised event. The organizers of the Berlin Games have always insisted athlete participation is a crucial part of hosting the event and the logo design process was no different.
The emblem, which brings together cheerful colors and iconic images of Berlin, was designed with the help of Special Olympics athletes. During a workshop, they shared their thoughts and feelings about the Games and inclusion. The list of feelings participants chose to be incorporated in the logo, which are represented by fun shapes and the five main logo colors, are joy, togetherness, excitement, pride and passion.
Additionally, iconic symbols of Berlin are used to welcome athletes and visitors to the city. The Berlin Bear, in green, can be found on the city’s coat of arms. Logo designers also felt it was important to honor Berlin’s ability to overcome a past of separation and isolation after the city was divided at the end of World War II. The Brandenburg Gate, in red, and Fernsehturm Tower, in fushia, celebrate a unified city and Berlin as the capital of one Germany. Overall, the logo was created to evoke a sense of unity, diversity, playfulness and connection.