Cleveland is throwing its hat into the ring to host the 2030 Special Olympics USA Games, which could boost the local economy and showcase the city's capacity for handling large-scale events. As reported by WKYC, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission has its eyes set on an event that is anticipated to draw in more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from across the nation and the Caribbean, along with a bustling crowd of 100,000 spectators.

Following a string of successful sporting ventures such as the NCAA Women's Final Four and the Pan-American Masters Games this year, the commission is bullish about their chances to secure the Special Olympics, which could inject upwards of $70 million into Cleveland's economy, the potentially substantial economic impact is coupled with an "immeasurable" legacy for the city, per the commission’s assessment. But they aren't just counting the possible dollars and cents. This bid is also about the pride and prestige of hosting an event that celebrates extraordinary athletes, a sentiment echoed by David Gilbert, president and CEO of the Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland, who quipped to FOX8 that they "like doing hard things" and are "good at it."

The details of the plan, as outlined by WKYC, propose harnessing Downtown's infrastructure as the central hub, taking advantage of facilities like the convention center and hotels, as well as leveraging local universities like Cleveland State and Case, John Carroll for the event slated to span eight days with athletes competing in over 16 sports, supplemented by daily programs aimed at promoting athlete and family wellness.

With the bid deadline looming on October 1, there's a rush to showcase Cleveland as a prime destination for the Special Olympics, requiring a symphony of efforts between local and statewide entities to shine a spotlight on Northeast Ohio, according to cleveland.com. Gilbert reemphasizes that this pursuit is part of a "highly competitive" process but remains emboldened by Special Olympics being "one of the most trusted brands in the world" and expects the games, which typically occur in the crossover of June and July, not just to expand Cleveland's economic horizons but also enrich its cultural and communal fabric.