Mathias Mester: He opens an inclusive playground

Paras athlete Mathias Mester (38) opened a playground in Mainz. Not a big deal in itself, but this place is different from many others in Germany: it was designed especially for children with and without disabilities. On June 10, the para-light athletics champion inaugurated the facility in the immediate vicinity of the FSV Mainz 05 stadium. The devices were the first to try out around 70 children with and without disabilities.

The playground is part of the “Luckily” initiative, which is carried by Procter & Gamble, Rewe and the Aktion Mensch. Mester acts as an ambassador for the project. The first-class football team FSV Mainz 05 also supports the project.

“It was not football for me, but ultimately the sport, which contributed significantly to the fact that I go through life confidently today,” explains Mester, according to the press release – and emphasizes the importance of common experiences: “It is important that children come together and experience great things together. This creates memories that may accompany them for a lifetime.”

The statistics show the need for action: Around 80 percent of the playgrounds in Germany are not inclusive. You can only use children with disabilities to a limited extent or not at all. The Mainz playground has accessible fall protection made of rubber instead of sand, different inlets and exits as well as ramps with different heights.

The initiative has been running since 2018. The financing model: P & G product sold at REWE, a cent flows into the project. So far, 3.6 million euros have been raised, with which 55 including playgrounds were realized.

Mathias Mester, as a para-athlete, was multiple world and European champions in the javelin throw, won Paralympics silver in the shot put. Today he is also known through TV appearances on “Let’s Dance” and “The Great Promibacken”. He uses this awareness for social issues, because the 38-year-old also sees himself as responsibility: “I am pleased to use my reach for topics that make society forward.”

In an interview with the news agency Spot on News, Mester recently said: “Inclusion is when everyone is allowed to participate and nobody stays behind.” It is important that all children can play together. “It is also a question of appreciation.” For him, inclusion also means “a step towards normal”. It is sad that one still has to talk about including people with disabilities.

The project partners are planning further playgrounds. The Mainz location next to the stadium should serve as an example of how sport and inclusion match. Mester puts it this way: “A football stadium, but also a playground is places where all of this happens. A place that should be open to everyone. A place without barriers.”