CLEVELAND — One month out from the deadline, the city of Cleveland, known as the home of rock ’n’ roll, is in a friendly race against Nashville, Tennessee, the capital of country music, to host the 2030 Special Olympics USA games.
The two cities are the only ones so far to publicly launch a bid for the event that would bring in more than 5,500 athletes, 100,000 fans and require more than 10,000 volunteers.
Justin Bradford, communications director for Special Olympics Tennessee, said the bids have already been compared to the “music battle” between country and rock.
“Two great states. Two great cities, steeped in music. It’s going to be a good battle,” Bradford said.
"Country music and rock 'n' roll coming together, right? Because, at the end of the day, whoever gets this bid is going to do a fantastic job for our athletes," said Jessica Stewart, CEO of Special Olympics Ohio.
Bradford said they're pitching the city as a great overall experience for the athletes and fans, and the music and entertainment Nashville has to offer is a big part of that.
“When they’re not competing, how are they going to explore the city? How are they going to experience music? How are they going to experience sports? That’s what we really want to sell is Nashville being one of those destination cities for not just athletes but tourists and families that are coming to visit too. and I know Cleveland is doing the exact same thing,” he said.
Closer to home, Stewart said the bidding process started nearly two years ago during a conversation with David Gilbert, president of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.
“I can’t even begin to put into words the excitement and the enthusiasm,” Stewart said. “A profound level of, ‘yes’ and ‘oh my gosh, I’d love to bring that here.’”
The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission knows a thing or two about hosting large sporting events. Cleveland was the home for the NCAA Women’s Final Four earlier this year and the Pan-American Masters Games in July. But Stewart said the Special Olympics is about much more than competition. It’s about the athletes and the legacy they leave behind.
“And really looking at those who are differently abled and being able to bring them in and change the way those in our city and state look at those with intellectual disability and changing the hearts and minds of those without disabilities,” Stewart said. “I think that is truly the impact these games have and the legacy that it can leave for our athletes and our city of Cleveland."
“What is left behind in the city and state that hosts these games is going to have a huge impact on the athletes in that city and state,” Bradford said.
Bradford said both Special Olympics Tennessee and Special Olympics Ohio have the same mission focused on opportunities and experiences for people with disabilities. It makes this “competition” between cities about as friendly as it can be.
“That’s what makes it fun right there too is that there isn’t really a loser in this," Bradford said. "We all know we’re in it for one main mission and that’s to support our athletes.”
The deadline for submitting the bid is Oct. 1. Stewart said officials from Special Olympics North America would visit the cities as early as this fall. A decision could come as soon as early next year.