Last night, the “Flame of Hope” was lit in the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy, marking the official start of the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Italy, the world’s largest sports and humanitarian event of the year.
In a powerful display of unity and determination, more than 1,500 athletes and Unified partners from 100 nations took the Special Olympics oath: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” The breathtaking Strength of Kindness Opening Ceremony set the stage for an unforgettable Games, celebrating inclusion, bravery, and the transformative power of sport.
The star-studded opening ceremony, produced by global live entertainment leader, Balich Wonder Studio, led by Marco Balich, was broadcast live on ABC/ESPN+/Disney+ worldwide and via local Italian broadcaster Rai 2. It featured musical performances by Italian singer, rapper, and record producer Mr. Rain and Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Aloe Blacc.
The 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin is a proud moment for the entire Movement, especially the Europe Eurasia region, which is hosting its sixth World Games. An impressive 52 delegations from the Europe Eurasia region are participating, which makes up more than half of all delegations at the Games. Enthusiastically cheering on these athletes will be approximately 2,000 family members from across the region and around the world.
2025 Special Olympics World Games President Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo welcomed everyone and said “I know that each one of you has carried a spark of the flame inside you, preparing and training, day after day. The ‘Flame of Hope’ is the hope in little things: a smile, a snowfall, a happy day. It is also the hope in bigger things: a welcoming community, an equitable society, a world at peace. You are the ‘Flame of Hope’. Carry it forward. We will be with you.”
Special Olympics International Chairman Dr. Timothy Shriver shared a message of what Special Olympics athletes can teach us. He said, “All of us here—doctors, teachers, law enforcement officers, coaches, families, volunteers, politicians, business leaders, faith leaders or partners. We all want to be brave like you – our athletes. What it looks like to treat everyone with dignity – that is bravery. This is your gift, your moment to be brave.”
He added, “This is Special Olympics country—a country free of hatred, free of fear, free for everyone’s gift to shine. Special Olympics country has no borders. We welcome all citizens of the world.”
Highlights of the Opening Ceremony included the Parade of Athletes, the Allegro Moderato Choir from Milan, a unified choir consisting of 51 singers with and without intellectual disabilities and the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run staged by a team of 106 runners. The ceremony also featured the Sunshine Gospel Choir from Turin and Bandaradan, a marching band from Turin, which welcomed athletes with a soulful and festive song and dynamic duet-style interactions that celebrated inclusion. That was followed by a moving performance from a unified dance ensemble featuring dancers with and without intellectual disabilities from Yoann Bourgeois Art Company and the Oltre Le Quinte.
The Parade of Athletes, which included 100 delegations, entered the arena. The delegations were accompanied by prominent supporters, including Mary Davis (CEO, Special Olympics), Loretta Claiborne (Chief Inspiration Officer, Special Olympics), Bob Beamon (Former Olympian and United States Olympic Hall of Fame Member and Special Olympics Global Ambassador), Victoria Arlen (SportsCenter Host, ESPN, and Special Olympics Global Ambassador), Ambassador Hussein Fahmy (Egyptian Movie Star and Special Olympics Global Ambassador) and Dale Moss (Former National Football League Player and Special Olympics Global Ambassador).
Global dignitaries joined the event, including the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, and his wife, Agata Kornhauser-Duda and the United States Presidential delegation led by Second Lady Usha Vance.
Following the Parade of Athletes, Special Olympics Sargeant Shriver Global Messenger, Gilmour Borg, gave a charge to the athletes. He said “It is through making our voices heard that we will shape a more inclusive future, together. It is through our unity that we grow stronger and face every challenge, hand in hand, together. These World Games show that we believe in ourselves, in our abilities and in our talents.”
David Evangelista, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia President and Managing Director, shared a message of welcome and gratitude. “As the athletes prepare to compete in these Games, I thank the host country of Italia for allowing us to bring such a remarkable event to your country,” said Evangelista. “I thank the city of Torino and the Piemonte region, the volunteers, the Local Organizing Committee, Special Olympics Italia, and the athletes’ families for believing in the power of our mission and movement. Most of all, I thank the athletes for motivating us to keep up the fight for inclusion and showing us what unity looks like in action. We cannot wait to cheer on this week. Ci vediamo a Torino!”
Following the raising of the Special Olympics flag, the oaths of the athletes, coaches, and officials, and the lighting of the cauldron signifying the start of the Games, Mr. Rain performed his hit “Supereroi.” The ceremony concluded with a concert by Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum singer and Special Olympics supporter Aloe Blacc. Blacc performed five songs from his empowering music genre, A.I.M, which stands for affirmation, inspiration, and motivation, energizing and preparing the athletes for the competition ahead.
For photos from the Opening Ceremony, please visit:
Photos: https://specialolympics.photoshelter.com/galleries/C0000qYMQYM5bd6M/Opening-Ceremony
