Gwangju City Kicks Off Gyeonggi-do Disabled Sports Festival... Record 10,000 Attendees, Largest Ever

The 16th Gyeonggi-do Disabled Sports Festival 2026 Gwangju opened at G-Stadium in Gwangju City on the 26th.

The 16th Gyeonggi-do Disabled Sports Competition 2026 Gwangju opened on the 26th at G-Stadium in Gwangju City. Photo by Gwangju City Council

The event drew significant attention even before it began, with more than 6,800 general citizens reserving seats in advance. On the day of the opening ceremony, approximately 10,000 people, including around 2,000 athletes, attended the venue. This is recorded as the largest scale in the history of the Gyeonggi-do Disabled Sports Festival.

The opening ceremony was held under the theme "Dynamic Leap of Gyeonggi-do, in Gwangju" and was organized as a combination of performances and sports events. The Dongchun Circus Troupe and a stunt cheerleading team performed, and flag-bearing teams from 31 cities and counties entered with performances reflecting the unique characteristics of their respective regions.

Gwangju City established a barrier-free viewing system to accommodate the large crowd and ensure accessibility for people with mobility challenges. The city expanded wheelchair-accessible seating, assigned sign language interpreters and mobility aids, and managed traffic flow and safety through cooperation between public authorities, private organizations, and police.

The 16th Gyeonggi-do Disabled Sports Competition 2026 Gwangju opened on the 26th at G-Stadium in Gwangju City. Photo by Gwangju City

In his welcoming speech, Mayor Bang Sehwan said, "I hope the sweat and effort of our athletes will become a beacon of hope for 600,000 people with disabilities in Gyeonggi-do as we move toward a world without discrimination," adding, "We will do our utmost to ensure safety and support throughout the duration of the event."

Meanwhile, starting with the opening ceremony, a total of 17 events, including boccia, lawn bowls, and powerlifting, will be held over three days throughout Gwangju City.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.