This year for International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, Special Olympics is highlighting those who make Special Olympics special: the athletes.
With over 1,400 athletes having just competed at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, in March, there are countless stories of athletes who defied all odds and came out victorious – both in the stats and in their own ways – but their stories are bigger than they know.
Whether securing a place on the podium or achieving personal victories, their stories extend far beyond the Games. Their participation in sport is creating story lines around the world, changing the lives of individuals who are just being introduced to the transformative power of sport.
Special Olympics sport is purpose built to be vehicle for social change —it is a sport for development organization that uses the power of sport to promote inclusion by focusing on education, health, social inclusion, physical wellbeing and many other areas of basic life that are vital to one’s overall wellbeing. Unlike other international sport organizations, Special Olympics focuses on breaking barriers and fostering acceptance for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Special Olympics build social harmony in communities, helping to educate and promote inclusion in places where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been systematically outcast. Breaking down these stereotypes and stigmas through continued education helps to counter these ideas, but even further, sport allows a physical demonstration of the power of inclusion – all athletes are equal on a field of play.
As Special Olympics enhances the lives of its athletes and communities around the globe through its inclusion work, its investment in inclusion shows a direct social return as well.
Special Olympics’ Vice President of Sport Development, Jon-Paul St. Germain shared, “We recently reviewed a Social Return on Investment (SROI) report and every dollar invested in Special Olympics generates $4.32 in social value, showing that when we invest in athletes with intellectual disabilities, we are fostering inclusion, reducing barriers, and building stronger, more connected communities.
"This is the true power of sport: it transcends boundaries and drives positive, lasting societal change for all"
The legacy of Turin Games, the athletes who competed in them, and the continued work of Special Olympics programs are driving change to make the world more inclusive in every capacity.
Now, you’ve seen them train, cheered for them while they competed, it’s time to get to know their stories! Read, watch, and learn of the remarkable athletes who made Turin 2025 a Games to remember and how their investment in sport is changing the world.
Kickstarting the Games, athletes filled Inalpi Arena to embark on a week of sport excellence: Welcoming Champions at the Turin Winter Games Opening Ceremony.
On 10 March, MATP skiers and their coaches took to the mountains at Melezet in Bardonecchia to demonstrate how adaptive skiing works with a monoski.
The first medal of the Games was earned on 11 March in Advanced Giant Slalom Snowboarding to Gonzalo Escobar with Special Olympics Chile.
Host Special Olympics Italy made a name for itself in Floorball with one of their athletes being nicknamed “The Bomber” as he led his team to victory over Special Olympics Germany in the Division B Unified Floorball match.
Special Olympics Hungary’s Zsombor Bohn stood out as he clinched gold in not only the 777-meter and 500-meter Speed Skating Division 01 finals, but the 1000-meter bronze as well.
A full day of action at Inalpi Arena made for a memorable day for all in attendance – especially the athletes.
Beyond these key moments, individual athletes left their mark in incredible ways. Alexandrea Rutledge of Special Olympics USA shared her powerful journey from training to competing on the world stage. Meanwhile, athletes from Special Olympics Korea excelled on both snow and ice, proving the strength of perseverance.
For some, just making it to Turin was a victory in itself. Special Olympics Tajikistan nearly missed the Games entirely—but with the support of the Special Olympics community, they not only made it but brought home six medals.
From the friendship bonds of Morocco to the innovative approaches to floorball of the Brave Boys of Namibia, and the soccer conversations of Uganda, Special Olympics athletes are not only competing—they are leading change in their communities. Athletes are proving that inclusion in sport is not just a vision—it’s a reality being built every day.
On this International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, let’s celebrate their stories and continue fostering a world where everyone belongs—on and off the field.