Situated between Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan is home to a rich history, reflected in both the language and culture of its people. The dominant language of Turkmen is most prominent in everyday use, while Russian is still spoken by elder and urban populations. Despite its economic potential and geopolitical importance, Turkmenistan remains vulnerable as a nation, caught between powerful political forces. Representing their beloved home, three Special Olympics Turkmenistan athletes traveled to the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. For the first time, their delegation competed in figure skating at a Special Olympics World Games.
Delegation Assistant Liaison Azita Khalili has volunteered in six Special Olympics World Games, directly offering logistical support to athletes, coaches and Unified partners on the ground. Originally from Iran, Azita now resides in the United States, but she has traveled the world to provide athletes the opportunity to be seen, to be recognized.
“I had a younger brother with Down syndrome,” explained Azita. “I learned about Special Olympics after his passing, but his passing gave me this gift… So, I became everyone’s older sister.”
When volunteering, she is eager to assist any delegation, fully embracing the opportunity to work across language barriers. Assigned to Special Olympics Turkmenistan at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025, she quickly learned that the athletes could only communicate verbally in Turkmen and had limited reading skills. Without the assistance of a translation tool, she relied on Head of Delegation Gulnara Hojamyradova for essential communication.
Although figure skating athlete Nuranay Habybova could only communicate with her delegation, she could easily express herself on the ice. Special Olympics Turkmenistan’s first figure skating athlete to compete at a Special Olympics World Games, 20-year-old Nuranay is fearless. For the past five years, she has trained and competed in Special Olympics gymnastics, where she refined her colorful, theatrical sense of showmanship. Less than a year ago, she tried figure skating for the first time. Now, she holds a fourth-place ribbon from the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025.
“The coach told me that this will kick start more ice skating for Special Olympics Turkmenistan,” said Azita.
A desert nation, there are only four ice rinks in Turkmenistan. Availability for training is limited, but Nuranay persevered, encouraged by her three sisters and parents to dream big. After graduating from boarding school, she was hired to operate a sewing machine, sewing gloves for factory workers. Though the work is repetitive, she is proud of the salary she earns. She has also assumed an unofficial managerial position, attempting to direct her coworkers, much like she does her sisters.
Language barriers aside, Nuranay’s presence is expressive, it’s uniquely her. At any given moment, she could be reciting her favorite poem or performing one of Turkmenistan’s traditional dances. Any room is her stage, any person her audience. Warming up for competition in the World Winter Games, she rehearsed her routine amidst skaters from other delegations. For the entirety of the warmup, she remained at the center of the rink, as if the spotlight shone only on her. Behind her sparkly eyeshadow and winning smile, Nuranay introduces Turkmenistan to the world. And on the ice, she can say more than words ever could.
