Special Olympics Germany Unified duo is ready to compete in the World Winter Games Turin 2025.
For Special Olympics Germany floorball player Ines Kwaschnowitz, having Jasmin Stopfkuchen as her Unified partner has made all the difference. “She reassures me, gives me confidence and tips, and helps me when things get difficult,” said Ines.
This bond is evident in their rituals, such as walking hand in hand during warm-ups. This seemingly small but significant moment reflects their deep mutual trust and friendship. It also encapsulates the power of Special Olympics Unified Sports® which brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete on the same team.
Ines and Jasmin’s story is part of the ‘Celebrate the Exceptional’ campaign, supported by Toyota Motor Europe and UPS, a visual and narrative project designed to spotlight eight exceptional Special Olympics athletes representing their countries at the World Winter Games Turin 2025.
Building Confidence Through Floorball
For Ines, floorball has been a transformative journey. She joined her team out of curiosity but quickly fell in love with the game. “I wanted to give it a try, and I had so much fun that I stayed in the team,” she said. With preparations for Turin 2025 in full swing, she reflected on how far she has come. “It’s been an exciting journey. I’ve learned to play with new people and have experienced new feelings.”
The training is rigorous but rewarding. Twice a week, Ines balances her demanding work at a packaging workshop in the city of Oldenburg with evening training sessions. Her preparation for Turin includes maintaining a healthy diet and staying hydrated, with her teammates, coaches and Jasmin providing vital encouragement. “They support me when I feel homesick or upset,” she said. “I like her (Jasmin) because she’s nice, calms me down and can distract me in stressful situations. And at the hotel, she helps me with things that are difficult for me.”
Jasmin, an occupational therapist who first joined Special Olympics Germany during an internship in 2018, speaks fondly of the partnership. “Ines and I have grown closer over the years. I know what she likes to eat, drink, and watch on TV. She’s not just a teammate; she’s a friend.” Their camaraderie creates a supportive environment that allows both to thrive on and off the field.
“We also spend time together outside of training and always have a good chat,” Jasmin added. “It’s great to see how Ines develops and becomes braver and more confident with every new Special Olympics event!”
Unified Sports has shaped both Ines and Jasmin. Ines feels that her team are like a family, a sentiment shared by Jasmin, who says this opportunity has taught her the value of respect, and teamwork. “I’ve learned to communicate in simple language, what respect means and how important it is to look out for each other,” she explained.
“I was so positively surprised by the team and the way everyone trains together that I immediately had fun and started coming to training regularly. I was able to grow a lot through the sport and get to know myself better as a person.”
Their floorball coach Oliver Scheplitz ensures that athletes and Unified partners within the team strike a balance between individual improvement and collective growth.
Looking Ahead to Turin
With the World Winter Games on the horizon, Ines is ready to showcase her skills and represent Germany. She carries lessons from past competitions, like the importance of collaboration and adapting to new environments, as she prepares to take the field. For her, the ultimate goal is simple yet powerful: “Taking part is everything.”
Ines also hopes to inspire others with intellectual disabilities to explore sports. Her advice? “Just try it out and talk to other athletes.”
The floorball competition will take place between 10 and 15 March at the InAlpi Arena in Torino, Italy.
