Stories

With Special Olympics, everything is possible. Skiing on snow in Coral Springs, Florida, is not one of those things. Despite the complete absence of snow, the stifling heat, Special Olympics USA athlete Kellie Matthew became a skier. And in the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025, she became a gold-medal skier. Watching her fly down the run, one would never know—Kellie had never competed on snow.

At 22 years old, Hungarian wunderkind Zsombor Bohn brings home double gold for the 777m and the 500m race in Division 01 of Speed Skating and bronze in the 1000m race at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025! On receiving the medals, Zsombor said, “I can’t believe it and yet I can believe it - I won!”

Twin brothers Dale and Dave Oddman overcame numerous challenges to compete in short track speed skating at the Special Olympics World Winter Games—the least of which was training exclusively on roller blades!

14 March was a busy day at Inalpi Arena in Turin as the Floorball competition of the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 continued. Floorballers competing in three categories (Men’s/Mixed Unified, Women’s Traditional, and Men’s Traditional) took to the floor to play in the semifinal and final matches.

For Uroš Kotnik, a three-time gold-medalist, forward is the only way ahead. The 35-year-old cross country skier arrived in Pragelato, at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025, ready to set another milestone in his remarkable journey, and take home another gold.

At 66-years-old, Austria’s Gerhard Kirnbauer is the oldest athlete at the Special Olympics World Winter Games. Competing in the 100-meter and 200-meter Snowshoeing, he’s showing the world that it is never too late to take on new challenges!

On 11 March, Special Olympics Chile snowboarding athlete Gonzalo Escobar was awarded the first gold medal of the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025, competing in the Advanced Giant Slalom Snowboarding Final.

A first love can be life-altering. Suddenly every waking thought revolves around it, heart beating faster. The all-consuming nature of a first love may be too much for some people. But for others, it becomes a part of their soul, their identity.

When 19-year-old alpine skier and Special Olympics athlete Madison Cyr is gliding down the slopes her motivational saying “Girl, You Got This” keeps her going.

Every athlete’s journey is shaped by those who believed the most in them—family.

For Louis Kleemeyer and Tim Pietrowski from Germany, being part of the Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Council has been nothing short of life-changing. Their story began three years ago, when both met at a start-up event.

Decorated Athletes and Coaches from Special Olympics Korea make the journey to Turin, Italy for the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025. A mix of talent, youth, and personal triumph constitute an exemplary team of athletes. And they’re winning big!