According to Johan Strid, there were several reasons why Sweden is now forced to give up the hosting of the Special Olympics 2021, a world-wide competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities. But the central issue has been about money for several months.

- In the end, we could conclude that we did not have the opportunity to move on, he says.

The lack of state support, a cracked ambition to build the event on commercial funds alone and promised funding from Special Olympics International that has not arrived on time are all factors that have caused the union to end up in an emergency liquidity situation for next year's first quarter.

- The target group is not strong enough to build it on just commercial means. We have then turned to the state and said that we need other resources, ”says Johan Strid.

Two rejections

Twice, the Parasport Association has sought contributions from the Ministry of Social Affairs over the past two years - both times they have been rejected.

- We really are not disappointed with the political support because there is no one we have talked to who has not supported this or shares the analysis that there is a great need for a similar event, says Strid.

- But what we are very disappointed with is that the government cannot gather to provide support so we can manage to carry out the world's largest humanitarian event for intellectual disabilities, he continues.

"Big disappointment"

Around SEK 15 million, the Swedish Parasport Association has collected through agreements with various players, but despite the fact that more players have signaled interest, Strid states that the association needed more time to collect money. According to the Secretary-General, a loan was also denied by the Sports Federation.

- These are agreements that we must now of course release. If we had liquidity we could have delivered and that is what we needed government money for. There we have a great disappointment, says Strid.

The Parasport Association also wanted to arrange the winter games as part of improving the health of the target group.