Nowitzki is one of the Friends of the Games for Berlin 2023, which marks the first time the multi-sport event is being held in Germany.

On the day of the Opening Ceremony, Nowitzki visited home 3x3 basketball players at their final training session prior to the start of divisioning tomorrow and preliminary competition on Wednesday (June 21).

He emphasised the importance of the Games, and his belief in the power of sport.

"This is my first time at the Special Olympics World Games," Nowitzki said.

"Maybe I can give the athletes another push and some extra motivation.

"Sport brings us all together.

"That's what the Special Olympics is all about here.

"I hope we will all have a great celebration together."

He later attended the Opening Ceremony, where he was joined by Canadian Special Olympics athlete Hanna Joy Atkinson, who has competed in skiing and cycling.

They called for the Games to serve as a catalyst for inclusion and improved access to sport for people with disabilities in Germany and around the world.

Nowitzki is considered one of the greatest European players in basketball history, and was a National Basketball Association (NBA) champion with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, when he was named the most valuable player (MVP) in the Finals.

He was the NBA's MVP in 2007, and featured in the All-Star Game on 14 occasions.

With Germany, he won an International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup bronze in Indianapolis in 2002, and was top scorer in back-to-back editions in 2002 and 2006.

He was a three-time top scorer at the FIBA EuroBasket, including during Germany's run to the final in 2005.

Nowitzki served as Germany's flagbearer for the Beijing 2008 Olympics Opening Ceremony, having helped his nation to qualify for the men's tournament at the Games for the first time since Barcelona 1992.