Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games, Schladming/Austria

2,600 athletes from 105 nations provided the thrills at the eleventh "Special Olympics World Winter Games" for people with intellectual disabilities at the venues in Graz, Schladming and Ramsau - and, in so doing, took sports fans' hearts by storm. We were engaged to design, plan and realise the lighting and audio at the opening ceremony at the Planai WM Park in Schladming.

The opening began with the "Flame of Hope" being carried into the stadium accompanied by the athletes with their families, coaches and numerous supporters. Together with the 15,000 spectators, they then enjoyed the subsequent show: choreographies by various dance companies and acrobatic displays by Cirque du Soleil thrilled the audience, as did the musical highlights: the top acts included "America's Got Talent" winner Grace VanderWaal, singer Rose May Alaba ("Can you feel it") and Helene Fischer, who presented "Fighter" - the Games' official anthem.

Photos: Malte Christians for N&M