Turin and Piedmont are ready to host the most important global sports event for athletes with intellectual disabilities: the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. This message was echoed unanimously this evening at the Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Foundation, where the organizing committee, institutions, stakeholders, and representatives from the business world reaffirmed their strong support for an event of extraordinary impact on the region. The anticipated outcomes are of exceptional significance in economic, social, and cultural terms, which will not be limited to the duration of the Games but will leave a valuable legacy that the region will benefit from for years to come.
“We are happy to organize the Special Olympics Winter Games 2025. It is a great opportunity for our city and our region to host an event that breaks down barriers and prejudices, and celebrates the value of collaboration and equal opportunities,” says Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, President of the Local Organizing Committee. “My thanks go to Ministers Daniela Santanchè, Andrea Abodi, and Alessandra Locatelli, to the President of the Piedmont Region Alberto Cirio, to the Mayor of Turin Stefano Lo Russo, to the President of Compagnia di San Paolo Marco Gilli, and to our three main sponsors, Toyota, Coca Cola, and Intesa San Paolo. Thanks to the invaluable resources they have made available, we are on the right path to creating an unforgettable event. The Games will be accompanied by a rich calendar of events and cultural activities in collaboration with local institutions, associations, and schools. The project is very ambitious, and we need everyone’s contribution to make this dream a reality.”
“With the Special Olympics World Winter Games, Piedmont is getting ready to become the global stage for inclusion and talent,” says the President of Piedmont Region, Alberto Cirio, the Councillor for Sports, Marina Chiarelli, and the Councillor for Welfare, Maurizio Marrone. “These will be days of sport, emotions, and great life stories, demonstrating how determination and courage can overcome any obstacle. This event will not only highlight the universal power of sport in connecting people and cultures but will also offer the opportunity to showcase the excellence of our region: from the mountains that will host the competitions to the initiatives involving schools, museums, theaters, and local communities. The Games will be an opportunity to be moved, reflect, and find inspiration, reminding us that the Special Olympics are not just about medals, but about values that enrich society as a whole. Piedmont is proud to be part of this and to welcome the world with its beauty and hospitality.”
For the Mayor of the City of Turin, Stefano Lo Russo: “Thanks to the Special Olympics World Games, Turin is preparing to host an important international sporting event and, at the same time, a community that is an inspiration in promoting the culture of inclusivity and respect. The Special Olympics spirit, in these Games, takes on one of its purest forms: an invitation to overcome the barriers that separate us and to recognize the value of every individual. Particularly now, as the city is in the midst of the Winter Universiade, it’s important to remember how major sporting events, which bring athletes and delegations from all over the world, convey universal values and leave a lasting legacy on the region.”
As a matter of facts, this event to generate positive impacts on multiple levels. From an economic perspective, the Games will attract thousands of visitors, including athletes, family members, coaches, volunteers, and enthusiasts, with significant benefits for the hospitality, catering, and tourism sectors. However, it is the social aspect that represents the beating heart of this event: promoting the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities through sport and spreading a culture that is more open and respectful of diversity. Last but not least, the Games will provide an important opportunity to enhance the image of Piedmont and Turin on an international scale, positioning them as destinations of excellence not only for sporting events but also for their ability to center people and values.
Events in the Region
During the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025, Turin and Piedmont will become the beating heart of a unique experience that goes far beyond the sports competitions. The events for the 8 disciplines (alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, dance sport, figure skating, floorball, short track, snowboarding, and snowshoeing) will take place from March 8 to 15 in Turin, Bardonecchia, Sestriere, and Pragelato. At the same time, a program of side events and preparatory activities will be developed, actively engaging the region’s associative, cultural, and social aspects.
Schools will play a leading role in educational pathways focused on inclusion, with workshops and meetings aimed at raising awareness among younger generations. The region’s museums, theaters, and cultural institutions will offer a rich calendar of initiatives, including thematic exhibitions, theatrical performances, and concerts, celebrating diversity and the unity between communities. There will also be moments of celebration and community gathering, such as the opening ceremony on Saturday, March 8, where citizens and visitors will have the chance to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Games and meet the 1,500 athletes from 102 delegations in person.
A solemn highlight of the lead-up to the World Winter Games will be the Olympic torch, which will depart from Athens on February 25 and arrive in Italy on the 26th. After a stop at the Vatican, the torch will make its way to Turin. From there, it will begin its tour across Piedmont, starting with the host municipalities, and then continue to visit all the provincial capitals in a series of local events that will make the Games experience unforgettable. This journey will strengthen the bond between the region and the values promoted by Special Olympics, leaving a lasting legacy of participation, inclusion, and collective pride.
