Bremen swimming Club’s Inclusive initiative Recognized with National Sports Award
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A commitment to inclusivity in sports has earned the Bremen Sports Club (BSC) national recognition,as its innovative “Inclusive Bremen Cup” swimming competition project received a major honor at the “Great Star of Sports” award ceremony in Berlin on Monday. The award celebrates the dedication of volunteers and organizations fostering community engagement within German athletics.
The “Great Star of Sports” award,presented by the german Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken,acknowledges exceptional voluntary commitment to German sports. The BSC initially secured a place at the federal final by winning the Bremen preliminary round of the “Stars of Sport” competition in November. They previously received a bonus of €2,500 for winning the “Great Star of Sports” in silver, a preliminary decision made in Bremen against last year’s winners, Tura Bremen.
A Festivity of Volunteerism in Berlin
Representatives from the BSC – Katrin Mühlenbruch, Sabine Wedell, Maike Oldag, and Franziska Laudenbach – attended the award ceremony, which was presided over by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. According to one attendee, “It was just great to be there,” highlighting the positive atmosphere among participants. “You just noticed that they are all athletes, they are all volunteers who are passionate about their clubs,” they added, emphasizing the shared dedication to their respective organizations. The event also provided a valuable opportunity for networking and potential collaborations with other clubs.
The “Inclusive Bremen Cup”: Breaking Down Barriers in Swimming
The BSC’s award-winning project, the “Inclusive Bremen Cup,” was born from a desire to provide more competitive opportunities for athletes participating in the Special Olympics. Katrin Mühlenbruch, a 22-year veteran of the Bremen Sports Club who serves as a trainer and sports manager, explained, “we have athletes who are taking part in the Special Olympics and I would like to give them the opportunity to gain more competition experience.” She noted the limited availability of such opportunities, prompting the BSC to partner with Special Olympics bremen to create an inclusive swimming competition.
The “Inclusive Bremen Cup” uniquely brings together athletes with and without disabilities,fostering a sense of normality and mutual acceptance. “The goal of this project,” Mühlenbruch stated,”is to create a sense of normality that different athletes swim together.” Participants train and compete alongside one another,learning to appreciate each other’s abilities and fostering a truly inclusive environment. This initiative represents “a very important step towards inclusion,” according to Mühlenbruch.
Fourth-Place Finish and Future funding
While the BSC did not secure a podium finish at the national final in Berlin, their fourth-place ranking with the “Inclusive Bremen Cup” sent a powerful message about the importance of community and participation. The club received an additional prize of €1,000, which will be allocated towards funding the next Bremen Cup, scheduled for May 30, 2026.
This year’s top honor, the “Great star of Sports” in gold, was awarded to the Herford gymnastics community from 1860 for their “Club Hero 2025” project, which focuses on strengthening and promoting volunteer involvement in sport. The Bremen Sports Club’s dedication to inclusivity serves as an in
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