CNA Staff, Mar 11, 2025 / 16:15 pm (CNA).
More than 1,500 athletes from 100 global delegations are competing in Turin, Italy, in the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025, which runs from March 8–15. One of the largest inclusive sports events of the year, the games mark the first World Winter Games since 2017.
Eight sports are included in this year’s Special Olympics World Winter Games: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, dance sport, figure skating, floorball, short track speed skating, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
Under the theme of “The Strength of Kindness,” the opening ceremony took place on March 8 with four athletes carrying the Special Olympics flag into the arena: Luca De Pierie, snowboarder from Special Olympics Italy; Meena Almazrouei, snowboarder from Special Olympics United Arab Emirates; Shirnel Swarts, speed skater from Special Olympics South Africa; and Yueming Dong, cross country skier from Special Olympics China.
One notable figure in attendance was Usha Vance, wife of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who flew into Turin with the American delegation.
The Special Olympics Flame of Hope was brought into the arena by seven athletes, each representing one of the seven regions of the Special Olympics. The Flame of Hope was lit in a ceremony in Athens, Greece, on Feb. 25 and from there went on a journey, passing through several Italian cities before arriving at the opening ceremony in Turin.
Along its journey, the Flame of Hope made a stop at the Vatican, where it was blessed by Monsignor Orazio Pepe, secretary of the Fabric of St. Peter, the office that deals with renovations and monuments in the famous basilica.
During the opening ceremony, Tim Shriver, Special Olympics Board chairman, said: “These athletes want to change your life and make you more joyful, tougher, and more brave than you ever imagined. Let them rub off on you! They will not fail.”
Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Sargent Shriver Global Messenger Gilmour Borg added: “We will not leave these competitions just as athletes but as champions ready for the next challenge — to show everyone outside of Special Olympics that they should believe in us too.”
In the United States, the Special Olympics World Winter Games can be watched on ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN3, and on ESPN Sports Center.
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