On 26 September 2025, the SportWay project will come full circle with its final event in Vienna, Austria. This moment carries a special weight for all of us involved—not only because it marks the conclusion of an ambitious journey across three countries, but also because it represents a beginning: the first inclusive sports event organised by ACTIVE Austria.
Over the past year, SportWay has shown what happens when sport is opened up to everyone. In Slovenia, we launched the project in Ljubljana during the European Week of Sport. That event filled a stadium with energy, proving that inclusion and play can bring together people of all ages and abilities. It set the tone for what SportWay would become – a celebration of togetherness, rather than competition.
In Italy, the spring sunshine in Possagno set the stage for an event on an even bigger scale. With years of experience behind them, our Italian partners delivered exactly what we had hoped for; a well-organised, vibrant day that brought inclusion to life through sport. It was a chance to see how an established tradition of hosting such events could enrich SportWay, showing us the strength that comes from experience and community engagement.
And now, as we prepare for Vienna, we are looking forward to yet another unique dimension. Unlike the first two events, this one will take place indoors. At first glance, that might seem like a small detail, but in fact it shows the flexibility of the SportWay approach. Inclusive sports events don’t have to follow a single formula. They can be outdoors or indoors, in large stadiums or smaller halls. What matters is creating space where everyone feels welcome and able to participate.
For ACTIVE Austria, hosting this event is especially significant. While they have long worked in the field of inclusion, this will be their first time organising such an event themselves. Their step into this role is proof of what we have believed from the start: inclusive sports events are not limited to a few experienced organisations, they are possible anywhere, as long as there is a will to bring people together.
As we head toward Vienna, the feeling among the SportWay partners is one of gratitude. We’ve seen children, young people, adults, mentors, and volunteers share moments of joy and achievement. We’ve seen barriers break down and friendships form. And we’ve learned that inclusion in sport isn’t just an idea, it’s something real, something that grows stronger with every event, every game, and every shared smile.
On 26 September, Vienna will host more than just the last stop of a project. It will host a celebration of what has been achieved, and a glimpse of what is still to come. Because although SportWay as a project is ending, the spirit it has nurtured will continue wherever people believe in the simple but powerful idea that sport is for everyone.
