Germany has never previously staged the Games, which first ran a summer edition in Chicago in 1968.

Federal Minister of the Interior and Community Nancy Faeser underlined the importance of staging what has been billed as the world's largest inclusive sports event.

"In the coming days, we can look forward to a unique, inclusive sporting event with exciting competitions and passionate fans," Faeser said.

"People from vastly different countries will come together - and this can create something special.

"It will become visible on a large stage how inclusion can be lived out.

"People will meet each other, exchange ideas, and overcome barriers and prejudices.

"I am sure that this will create strong momentum for an inclusive society."

The Special Olympics World Games is due to begin tomorrow with an Opening Ceremony at Berlin's approximately 74,000-capacity Olympiastadion - built for the 1936 Olympic Games and renovated for the 2006 FIFA World Cup - followed by eight days of competition from Sunday (June 18) until June 25.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is expected to open the Games tomorrow, after an address from Special Olympics International chair Timothy Shriver, the raising of the Special Olympics flag accompanied by German singers Alexander Klaws and Sabrina Weckerlin, cultural offerings and the Special Olympics Oath spoken by German footballer Ralf Andrasch.

The Special Olympics Flame of Hope is then set to be lit, followed by a performance of the Games song Are You Ready by Norwegian duo Madcon and later fireworks to conclude proceedings.

Speaking prior to the Games, Shriver - the son of the founder of the Special Olympics Eunice Kennedy Shriver - claimed the event could change the world.

"We have quite a simple message," the American official said.

"The world can change.

"This country has changed.

"If you commit yourself to greatness, you can change the world."

Eight venue clusters are being used for the multi-sport event, including athletics, football, futsal, hockey, roller skating, handball and equestrian at Olympiapark and tennis, judo, bocce, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, gymnastics, powerlifting and badminton at Messe.

Swimming, kayak, open water swimming, bowling, sailing, golf, beach volleyball, 3x3 basketball and cycling are the other sports on the programme.

Hockey is making its debut at the Games as a demonstration sport, and the International Hockey Federation's hockey for those with intellectual disabilities (ID) project lead Norman Hughes is pleased with the landmark.

"To have 13 teams representing four continents in the very first edition of Hockey ID being played at the Special Olympics, is a very proud moment for our sport and shows the global interest in promoting inclusiveness," Hughes said.

"Our aim is to use the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 as a tool to inspire more nations to develop and grow Hockey ID."

South Korea topped the medals table at the last edition of the Games in the United Arab Emirates' capital Abu Dhabi in 2019 with 125 golds.

Russia finished third in Abu Dhabi with 41 golds, but are not among the participating nations due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The Global Athlete Congress, Global Youth Leadership Summit and Global Forum for Inclusion are all taking place on the sidelines of the Games.

The latter of those events hopes to make a Berlin Declaration - a series of concrete demands for inclusive education and a more inclusive society.