Ukraine's team of 20 athletes received a loud ovation during the Parade of Nations at the Opening Ceremony ©Getty Images

Photo gallery

Athletes from hosts Germany were last to enter the Olympiastadion ©Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023/Annegret Hilse
Athletes from hosts Germany were last to enter the Olympiastadion ©Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023/Annegret Hilse
Approximately 7,000 athletes from 187 nations made their way around the track to the stage during the Parade of Nations ©Getty Images
Approximately 7,000 athletes from 187 nations made their way around the track to the stage during the Parade of Nations ©Getty Images
The Malian team was among those with the most impressive uniforms ©Getty Images
The Malian team was among those with the most impressive uniforms ©Getty Images
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, second left, was among the guests at the Opening Ceremony ©Getty Images
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, second left, was among the guests at the Opening Ceremony ©Getty Images
Basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki of Germany called for the Special Olympics World Games to help improve access to sport for people with disabilities ©Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023/Annegret Hilse
Basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki of Germany called for the Special Olympics World Games to help improve access to sport for people with disabilities ©Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023/Annegret Hilse
Special Olympics International Timothy Shriver, right, referenced a visit to Berlin in 1963 by his uncle John F. Kennedy during his speech ©Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023/Annegret Hilse
Special Olympics International Timothy Shriver, right, referenced a visit to Berlin in 1963 by his uncle John F. Kennedy during his speech ©Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023/Annegret Hilse
The Special Olympics flag was raised among the evening’s ceremonial events ©Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023/Annegret Hilse
The Special Olympics flag was raised among the evening’s ceremonial events ©Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023/Annegret Hilse
German table tennis player Sophie Rensmann, a bronze medallist at the last Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, lit the Special Olympics Flame ©Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023/Annegret Hilse
German table tennis player Sophie Rensmann, a bronze medallist at the last Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, lit the Special Olympics Flame ©Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023/Annegret Hilse
The three-and-a-half hour Opening Ceremony concluded with a spectacular firework display ©Getty Images
The three-and-a-half hour Opening Ceremony concluded with a spectacular firework display ©Getty Images