By Karini Viranna
Special Olympics Estonia athlete Helen Nääme kicked off the Games by leading her delegation in the Parade of Athletes at Opening Ceremony. On Tuesday, she sailed her way into the DanceSport finals! What next for Helen’s Games’ adventure?
For Helen Nääme, her first time dancing at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 in Turin, means everything. The 37-year-old DanceSport athlete from Estonia, has arrived in Bardonecchia, practising with tenacity and planning to do more than simply dance. “This will be an experience I’ll never forget,” exclaims Helen, as she prepares to perform at the Palazzo Delle. For Helen, this journey goes beyond the competition: it’s about connection, and the joy of movement.
Helen lives in the Maarja Küla community village, where traditional Estonian folk music, “Pudi Padi Noor” inspired her coach Ele Jarvis, a dancer herself, to choreograph a routine for Helen, her dance partner Urmas, and her Unified partner, Marvin. Coach Ele has known Helen for 12 years, often hiking together and now venturing into the world of DanceSport at the Winter Games.
DanceSport covers all types of dance styles such as Ballroom, Streetdance (Hip Hop, Breaking, Locking, Electric Boogie etc.) Performing Arts (Modern, Ballet, Jazz Dance, Contemporary, etc.) and Specialty (LaBlast, Folk Dance) and offers training and competitions for Solos, Duos, Couples and Teams. At these Games, Helen will perform a routine with her Unified partner, Marvin.
In Helen’s daily life, she is actively engaged in various workshops and contributes as an assistant chef in the village kitchen. Helen paints mandalas in her free time, knitting in the colder months and has embraced sports with open arms, participating in activities such as cross-country skiing and floorball.
Over the past year, she has focused passionately on DanceSport, a discipline that has taken her onto the stage and out of her comfort zone, allowing her to express herself in new ways. Learning to dance was initially challenging, however, with encouragement from her coach and community - and a strong belief in herself -she has flourished.
Coach Ele Jarvis smiles as she watches Helen practice her dance routine. Photo by: Claire Behan.
“Helen is making remarkable progress, and many of the steps come naturally to her. I encourage her to continue because she finds true joy in dancing,” says Coach Ele. Coach Ele noted that Helen’s commitment also led to an impressive physical transformation, as she became stronger and healthier during her preparation for the Winter Games.
Watching from the audience, Helen’s moves are distinct, her smile more apparent as she finishes a movement. On a break from practice, while not apparent to the audience, Helen shared that she was initially “shaking” as she took to the stage, but that her strategy when she’s nervous, is to look out at the audience. “They give me strength. I feel calm when I can connect, and I remember my movements better.”
Coach Ele revealed, “Helen has actually taught me. I’ve learned from her, even as her coach, I’m growing. I’m usually a perfectionist but I’m learning beyond that, thanks to Helen.” For Helen, Special Olympics is not just a sporting event but a celebration of inclusion and personal joy. Helen, Urmas and Marvin had the distinct honour of leading the Special Olympics Estonia delegation out during the Parade of Athletes at the Opening Ceremony of the Games. “Walking out with my whole team at the Inalpi Arena for the Opening Ceremony, I just felt so proud!”
Helen will not be alone in Turin. Her fellow athletes from Maarja Küla will be participating in cross-country skiing. Back home, Helen’s family and friends will be cheering her on with unwavering support.
After competing in the solo divisioning in Bardonecchia on Tuesday, Helen’s post-performance glow has lasted throughout the day. “It was really great to be on the stage and perform. I felt no stress at all today. I’m really happy, and into the finals I go.”
As Helen moves onto the next stage, she holds three crucial steps to performing on the world stage; the spirit of perseverance, the strength of her community, and the joy of dance.
Helen competes in the DanceSport ‘Specialty Solo’ finals at 10 am on Thursday 13 March.
