From 16 to 18 June 2026, the Salento region in southern Italy hosts the Inclusion Olympics, an initiative aimed at promoting the active participation of persons with disabilities through sport, social engagement and inclusive community experiences.

The event brings together persons with and without disabilities, associations, families, professionals and volunteers in a programme of sporting, recreational and educational activities designed to foster inclusion and highlight the abilities and potential of every participant. The Inclusion Olympics are based on the idea that sport can serve as a powerful tool for social participation, helping to challenge stereotypes, combat discrimination and strengthen community ties.

The initiative is closely linked to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which recognises the right of persons with disabilities to participate fully and equally in cultural, recreational, leisure and sporting activities. In this context, initiatives such as the Inclusion Olympics contribute to the practical implementation of the principles of accessibility, equal opportunities and social inclusion.

According to the organisers, the event also provides an opportunity to promote autonomy, self-determination and active citizenship among persons with disabilities, moving beyond welfare-based approaches and recognising their role as active members of society. The experience in Salento therefore represents a positive example of good practice in the field of social inclusion, combining sport, human rights and community participation.

More broadly, the Inclusion Olympics highlight the importance of investing in initiatives that foster accessible and inclusive environments, where every individual can fully participate in society and develop their talents and aspirations without barriers.