The thrill of sports lies not in the medals won but in the friendships forged and the joy of participating, according to Special Olympics France cross-country skier Fanélie Croizat.
The 44-year-old from Saint-Chamond in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France is about to embark on her third World Winter Games when she takes on the snow in Italia, having previously competed at PyeongChang 2013 and Austria 2017. She will be among 1,500 athletes from over 100 countries competing at the World Winter Games Turin 2025—the world’s largest sports and humanitarian event.
Fanélie’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.
As she looks ahead to Turin 2025, Fanélie remains grounded in her goal: to enjoy the experience and share her love for skiing with others.
A Magical Moment Each Time
“I participate in all the Special Olympics events because each time is always a magical moment for me,” she reflected. For her, the joy is in the journey, not the outcome. The pride she feels from competing and sharing the experience with fellow athletes far outweighs the desire for a podium finish.
“My goal is to have fun, meet new people, and make others proud of me by giving my very best,” she said.
As a Special Olympics France Athlete Leader, Fanélie is dedicated to helping other athletes find their own path to success. She believes leadership is rooted in teamwork, even in an individual sport like hers, and that every athlete has something valuable to contribute.
“Even though I’m an Athlete Leader, I’m not alone on the team,” she said, stressing the importance of supporting one another and making sure no one feels left behind.
Fanélie Croizat is set to compete in cross-country skiing at the World Winter Games Turin 2025 Photo by Antoine Boureau
Transformed by Sports
Special Olympics has shaped not just Fanélie’s athletic career, but her whole life. The opportunity to travel the world, compete in international events, and most importantly, gain confidence, has changed her in ways she never imagined.
“Sports have truly transformed me; they’ve given me confidence and helped me open up to others,” she said. Fanélie has found her voice and a sense of belonging that extends beyond the competition. It’s about more than just winning medals—it’s about creating a global community of athletes who support one another and grow together.
Fanélie emphasizes that what truly drives her is the sense of camaraderie at Special Olympics events. “When I play sports, I have fun, and I feel happy,” she explained. It’s this love for the experience, rather than a singular focus on winning, that fuels her passion.
“The atmosphere of these events and the human experiences we share motivate me to take on new challenges.”
Carrying the Olympic Torch at Paris 2024
In preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Fanélie was honoured with the opportunity to carry the Olympic Torch in Lyon, France, near her hometown of Saint-Chamond. On 26 July, surrounded by her family, friends, and fellow members of Special Olympics France, Fanélie proudly walked through the city’s crowded streets.
Fanélie shared, “I was very proud of this moment because I could be myself while everyone around me supported me as I carried the torch. All my family and friends were there to support and cheer for me as well.”
Transitioning from Summer to Winter Sports
Having competed in swimming and basketball, Fanélie didn’t hesitate when presented with the chance to take on the challenge of competing in cross-country skiing. Coming from the French town of Saint-Chamond, renowned for its ski resorts, winter sports have always been a part of her life. “I’ve always loved winter sports,” she said.
The transition from summer to winter sports is not without its challenges. Winter sports require different techniques, different physical preparation, and, often, a different mindset. But Fanélie admitted she enjoys “practicing multiple sports because I find something different to love in each one. For cross-country skiing, I especially love being outdoors in the mountains.”
“The most important thing for me is meeting people from other countries and giving my all,” she said.
The cross-country competition will take place between 10 and 15 March at the Olympic Cross-Country Center in Pragelato, Italy.
The Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 will be held in Italy from 8 – 15 March, with over 1,500 athletes from more than 100 countries competing across eight sports: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, DanceSport, figure skating, floorball, short track speed skating, snowboarding, snowshoeing.
