Full kid power: inclusion and team spirit at the Aquathlon inwerfen!

Full kid power: inclusion and team spirit at the Aquathlon inwerfen!

On June 18, 2025, the outdoor swimming pool inwerfen was transformed into a platform for inclusion and team spirit when a cross-school aquathlon took place there. Under the motto “Summer, Sun, Sporting Spirit”, a total of 74 participants took part, including students from ASO Bischofshofen and the third grade of the primary school on the Salzach in St. Johann. This competition, which combined swimming and running, aimed to convey the joy of sport and exercise while promoting inclusion, as meinbezirk.at reports.

The Aquathlon consisted of an individual swimming competition followed by a running course. A special highlight was the inclusive mixed relay, in which teamwork and tactics were required and the scoring was based on middle time. The disciplines of swimming, running and target throwing made for an exciting and varied sporting experience. The teacher from ASO Bischofshofen highlighted the great support and cohesion during the event, which made the Aquathlon a real highlight for everyone involved.

Inclusion through sport

Promoting inclusion through sport is not just a goal of this event, but a fundamental principle that is gaining importance throughout society. Community sporting activities help to reduce prejudices and fear of contact. According to aktion-mensch.de there are positive effects on acceptance and tolerance among one another. The coexistence of people with and without disabilities is increasingly taken for granted. This attitude is crucial when it comes to breaking down barriers in everyday life, the world of work and education.

Nevertheless, according to a report from the German Sport University Cologne and the DSO, the proportion of people with disabilities who actively do sports is declining sharply. While only 35% of sports clubs work inclusively, the proportion of people with disabilities who are not active in sports is 55%. This is often caused by a lack of inclusive local sports offerings and poor accessibility to sports facilities. In addition, many public play, sports and leisure areas in Germany are not designed to enable widespread access.

The role of sports facilities

The need for a more inclusive design of sports venues is obvious. A report estimates the need for renovation of sports infrastructure in Germany at around 31 billion euros. These structural barriers are often responsible for why many people with disabilities are excluded from sport. Only around 4% of public sports areas are designed to be inclusive, which significantly limits the integration-promoting effect of sport.

Overall, the event in Werden shows how valuable shared sporting experiences can be. It not only promotes the health and fitness of the participants, but also has a positive impact on society by laying the foundations for inclusive coexistence. It remains to be hoped that such initiatives will be increasingly supported and expanded to ensure real participation for all people.