Stories From the Field of Play

It was Fan Xinwei’s first time visiting Italy. Although the city of Turin offered sites, history, and iconic Italian cuisine, the only thing on this floorball player’s mind was victory. And over the course of competition at Inalpi Arena, that’s exactly what Special Olympics China accomplished.

At 21 years old, cross-country-skier Nuka Martin Lynge, from Greenland, has already completed two runs of the Arctic Circle Race - recognised as the world’s most challenging cross-country skiing competition. Earlier this month, he brought his skills and focus from the top of the world to Turin, Italy when he represented Special Olympics Denmark at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025.

Konrad Dębniak (35), an accomplished athlete from Special Olympics Poland, has become a true role model for his community—on and off the sports field. His journey to the World Games is a testament to his generous and relentless spirit, and his inspiring determination—all encouraged by his deeply supportive coach, Remigiusz Woźniak.

Antwan “Tony” Saad developed a passion for skiing but has a very peculiar dilemma: his home country of Egypt only receives snow on the rarest of occasions (sometimes years apart). This presents a challenge for someone looking to hone their craft in Alpine Skiing.

The Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 were an extraordinary occasion for athletes with and without intellectual disability to prove their skills on a global stage and bring home precious medals.

For more than two decades, Susan St. John has been a fixture of the Special Olympics Oklahoma community, ever since her daughter, Chelsea, first became an athlete while in middle school.

Alexandrea Rutledge trained hard for Turin 2025. Now she's excited to show off her skills to friends back home.

Although figure skating athlete Nuranay Habybova could only communicate with her delegation, she could easily express herself on the ice.

Coinciding with Women’s History Month, these Games sent a powerful message to the world: everyone has a place in sport.

“Being able to ski a really tough course, that’s been my highlight. And now I’ve done it,” shares Team Ireland’s treasured alpine skier, Lorraine Whelan, waving her ski poles in the air as she dances with the crowd in Sestriere.