Through the Lens in Turin
The Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy was an incredible experience that yielded thousands of magnificent moments. This was captured by a tremendously talented team of photographers and media staff. With over 40,000 photos available (all of which can be seen here: 2025 World Winter Games Photo Archive), it is challenging to pick a favorite. But we’ve done just that.
We asked various members of the Special Olympics Content team to select their favorite photo that they either captured or took part in, along with a description explaining what makes it so special. These teammates include the Special Olympics International Photography team, the Sargent Shriver Global Messengers (SSGMs) who served as storytelling specialists, and a group of student photographers from Oklahoma City Public Schools Scissortail Studios. The photos are an engaging mix of sport, candid emotion, and personal achievement, all curated by an outstanding Unified Media team!
Click on the photos below to discover the amazing story behind each.
The official torch lighting captured during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2025 World Winter Games.
Dillon Vibes (Photographer): "A really important aspect of the entire Special Olympics movement that I’m constantly trying to convey through my work is that it’s a serious sports organization with serious athletes. It’s not just a cutesy sports competition for people with disabilities. So, photos like this one that show the grandeur of Special Olympics on a global scale are really important to me.”
Dillon Vibes (Photographer): "A really important aspect of the entire Special Olympics movement that I’m constantly trying to convey through my work is that it’s a serious sports organization with serious athletes. It’s not just a cutesy sports competition for people with disabilities. So, photos like this one that show the grandeur of Special Olympics on a global scale are really important to me.”
Photo by Dillon Vibes/Special Olympics
Mujahid, in the front row wearing a red shirt and white coat, embraces the crowd after delivering a powerful message of inclusion.
Mujahid Al-Sarhani (SSGM Special Olympics Middle East / North Africa): “It is truly an honor to have participated as a Guest of Honor at the 2025 World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. I was deeply happy during this global event, especially when I stood before a large audience to deliver a speech about the major accomplishments I have achieved despite the many challenges and hardships. I was proud to raise my voice—and the voices of my peers with intellectual disabilities—to send a clear message to the world: We are capable individuals, with dreams and goals that we are working hard to achieve. I hope that one day I will have the opportunity to deliver global speeches in front of world leaders—to share voices of my friends, and to represent my peers with intellectual disabilities on the highest stages.”
Mujahid Al-Sarhani (SSGM Special Olympics Middle East / North Africa): “It is truly an honor to have participated as a Guest of Honor at the 2025 World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. I was deeply happy during this global event, especially when I stood before a large audience to deliver a speech about the major accomplishments I have achieved despite the many challenges and hardships. I was proud to raise my voice—and the voices of my peers with intellectual disabilities—to send a clear message to the world: We are capable individuals, with dreams and goals that we are working hard to achieve. I hope that one day I will have the opportunity to deliver global speeches in front of world leaders—to share voices of my friends, and to represent my peers with intellectual disabilities on the highest stages.”
An athlete takes a break from competition to throw some snowballs in the mountains of Bardonecchia.
Julian De Leon (Student, Oklahoma City Public Schools Scissortail Studios): “This picture is one of my favorites because being in the mountains of Bardonecchia brought moments of pure joy. Some of these athletes had never seen or touched snow before and watching them experience it for the first time was unforgettable. Seeing their faces light up as they played, threw snowballs, and laughed made the whole trip worth it. It reminded me how special the little things can be when you see them through someone else’s eyes.”
Julian De Leon (Student, Oklahoma City Public Schools Scissortail Studios): “This picture is one of my favorites because being in the mountains of Bardonecchia brought moments of pure joy. Some of these athletes had never seen or touched snow before and watching them experience it for the first time was unforgettable. Seeing their faces light up as they played, threw snowballs, and laughed made the whole trip worth it. It reminded me how special the little things can be when you see them through someone else’s eyes.”
Photo by Julian De Leon/Special Olympics
The coach of the Saudi Arabia Floorball team gets his players in the zone at Inalpi Arena.
Brian Anderson (Photographer): “Ultimately, the theme behind the photo is emotion. As a shooter, I am striving to always see the beauty and emotion within moments to capture. I want my photos to emulate art and the raw emotion from all the Special Olympics athletes regardless of sport and performance exhibits that to its fullest.”
Brian Anderson (Photographer): “Ultimately, the theme behind the photo is emotion. As a shooter, I am striving to always see the beauty and emotion within moments to capture. I want my photos to emulate art and the raw emotion from all the Special Olympics athletes regardless of sport and performance exhibits that to its fullest.”
Photo by Brian Anderson/Special Olympics
This photo captured the power of a MATP event in the mountains showing adaptive skiing.
Reese Bland (Photographer): “Shooting for Special Olympics is always an amazing experience. It's a journey to a place you may never have visited, to see a mix of talent and skill from athletes who've been counted out by so many people. You get to use your gift—a skill you've honed over years and enjoy doing—while bearing witness to brave folks from so many places in the world doing the same in their sport. It's special beyond the branding, and you are surrounded by a community that supports and recognizes each of the moments you're trying to capture.”
Reese Bland (Photographer): “Shooting for Special Olympics is always an amazing experience. It's a journey to a place you may never have visited, to see a mix of talent and skill from athletes who've been counted out by so many people. You get to use your gift—a skill you've honed over years and enjoy doing—while bearing witness to brave folks from so many places in the world doing the same in their sport. It's special beyond the branding, and you are surrounded by a community that supports and recognizes each of the moments you're trying to capture.”
Photo by Reese Bland/Special Olympics
Susan stands between two photographers as she listens to a presentation by a Unified Pair from Guatemala.
Susan Wang (SSGM Special Olympics North America): “Here is my favorite photo that we took in Turin. The photo was from the Global Youth Leadership Summit, and it was inspiring hearing all the different projects youths have been working on for a more inclusive world in their communities.”
Susan Wang (SSGM Special Olympics North America): “Here is my favorite photo that we took in Turin. The photo was from the Global Youth Leadership Summit, and it was inspiring hearing all the different projects youths have been working on for a more inclusive world in their communities.”
Yeruult (right) poses with legendary Olympian Bob Beamon (left).
Yeruult Batbayar (SSGM Special Olympics East Asia): “This is the most memorable photo of taking pictures with one of my heroes, legendary Olympian Bob Beamon.”
Yeruult Batbayar (SSGM Special Olympics East Asia): “This is the most memorable photo of taking pictures with one of my heroes, legendary Olympian Bob Beamon.”
Gilmour (in red) lifts a Young Athlete up in Turin.
Gilmour Borg (SSGM Special Olympics Europe Eurasia): “This photo means a lot to me as it represents the new generation. An inspiring moment with incredible champions!”
Gilmour Borg (SSGM Special Olympics Europe Eurasia): “This photo means a lot to me as it represents the new generation. An inspiring moment with incredible champions!”
USA athlete cheers on her team at the finish line of the Snowshoe Competition.
Abby Carmago (Student, Oklahoma City Public Schools Scissortail Studios): “This photo was one of my favorites of the entire trip. This moment was captured at the end of the snowshoeing event at the finish line with the entire USA team. This was one athlete's genuine reaction that I was lucky enough to be close up on. It perfectly embodies the happiness and exciting energy that was consistent throughout the entire World Winter Games.”
Abby Carmago (Student, Oklahoma City Public Schools Scissortail Studios): “This photo was one of my favorites of the entire trip. This moment was captured at the end of the snowshoeing event at the finish line with the entire USA team. This was one athlete's genuine reaction that I was lucky enough to be close up on. It perfectly embodies the happiness and exciting energy that was consistent throughout the entire World Winter Games.”
Photo by Abby Carmago/Special Olympics
Pablo (second to the right) cheers on a MATP participant in Turin.
Pablo Composto (SSGM Special Olympics Latin America): “This photo is one of the most special moments that I experienced in Turin. Because I was able to see how important it is to help people with motor disabilities to become more involved in recreational sports.”
Pablo Composto (SSGM Special Olympics Latin America): “This photo is one of the most special moments that I experienced in Turin. Because I was able to see how important it is to help people with motor disabilities to become more involved in recreational sports.”
Judith Wegmann from SO Switzerland hits the slopes in the Advanced Alpine Ski Competition.
Rich Howe (Photographer): “Judith Wegmann from SO Switzerland followed a guide down the Advanced Course as she competed in the Alpine Skiing competition. A nearby videographer told me that Judith skis with her father who yells as he passes each post, so she knows when to turn. These two skied so perfectly together, just a few feet apart, that they must have worked together for a very long time. That epitomized these World Games for me - families and coaches working together with athletes to bravely attempt things most people would not even try.”
Rich Howe (Photographer): “Judith Wegmann from SO Switzerland followed a guide down the Advanced Course as she competed in the Alpine Skiing competition. A nearby videographer told me that Judith skis with her father who yells as he passes each post, so she knows when to turn. These two skied so perfectly together, just a few feet apart, that they must have worked together for a very long time. That epitomized these World Games for me - families and coaches working together with athletes to bravely attempt things most people would not even try.”
Photo by Rich Howe/Special Olympics
Grace (left) poses with her mentor Rowena (right) before the Opening Ceremony.
Grace Payne (SSGM Special Olympics Asia Pacific): “This photo is of Rowena and I at the Opening Ceremony venue. This photo was taken not long after we walked in there and we were in awe! It's one of my favorites because of the feeling behind it, we've done so much to get to this point and the photo really captures that for me 😊”
Grace Payne (SSGM Special Olympics Asia Pacific): “This photo is of Rowena and I at the Opening Ceremony venue. This photo was taken not long after we walked in there and we were in awe! It's one of my favorites because of the feeling behind it, we've done so much to get to this point and the photo really captures that for me 😊”
Photo by Grace Payne/Special Olympics
A Young Athlete smiles to the camera.
Laine Hansen (Student, Oklahoma City Public Schools Scissortail Studios): “Here’s my favorite image! It was at the Young Athletes event. This little boy was just having the time of his life and playing with a balloon. He knocked it towards me and almost hit the camera. I snapped the shot as he was walking away. I love it because it was such a genuine and precious moment of innocence.”
Laine Hansen (Student, Oklahoma City Public Schools Scissortail Studios): “Here’s my favorite image! It was at the Young Athletes event. This little boy was just having the time of his life and playing with a balloon. He knocked it towards me and almost hit the camera. I snapped the shot as he was walking away. I love it because it was such a genuine and precious moment of innocence.”
Photo by Laine Hansen/Special Olympics
Margaret (left) poses with fellow SSGMs Grace (center) and Pablo (right) in Turin.
Margaret Turley (SSGM Special Olympics Europe Eurasia): “Breaking boundaries. Sports for everyone!”
Margaret Turley (SSGM Special Olympics Europe Eurasia): “Breaking boundaries. Sports for everyone!”
An Alpine Skier from SO Bharat makes her way down the mountain.
Will Schermerhorn (Photographer):
“Luck and an inspirational lesson from years before is what made this one happen. We were well over a mile above sea level, and I felt it. Looking upslope, I saw lots of snow and gates, but no sense of altitude. I could see the deep valley and distant mountains to my right. I wanted THAT in my shots. So, I climbed uphill, pretty much gasping. Then snow started falling. This skier from SO Bharat came by and I got a few shots. Later, editing back in Turin, I saw her face, the hundreds of snowflakes, the distant valley, her athletic posture, the joyous colors of her outfit. It was worth the climb.”
Will Schermerhorn (Photographer):
“Luck and an inspirational lesson from years before is what made this one happen. We were well over a mile above sea level, and I felt it. Looking upslope, I saw lots of snow and gates, but no sense of altitude. I could see the deep valley and distant mountains to my right. I wanted THAT in my shots. So, I climbed uphill, pretty much gasping. Then snow started falling. This skier from SO Bharat came by and I got a few shots. Later, editing back in Turin, I saw her face, the hundreds of snowflakes, the distant valley, her athletic posture, the joyous colors of her outfit. It was worth the climb.”
Photo by Will Schermerhorn/Special Olympics
