Ten athletes with an intellectual disability have been named by Special Olympics Great Britain to represent the nation and compete on the international stage at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025.
Special Olympics Great Britain is a registered charity, which uses the power of sport to transform the lives of children and adults with an intellectual disability. As part of the global Special Olympics movement, the Special Olympics World Winter Games is a quadrennial event, which takes place in 2025 across Italy, from 8 to 15 March, bringing together more than 1,500 athletes from 103 countries to compete in eight winter sports.
Within this, the Team Special Olympics Great Britain squad will participate in the Alpine Skiing and Figure Skating competitions. All 10 athletes competed in their sports earlier this year at the first Special Olympics GB National Winter Games in Folgaria, Italy, before they were nominated and subsequently selected by the SOGB Executive Team, Team SOGB Turin 2025 management and coaching team, who assessed multiple criteria including commitment to training, life goals, leadership skills and more.
Alpine Skiing
|
Name |
Club |
Level |
|
Emma Ronald |
Special Olympics Grampian |
Novice |
|
Emily Plant |
Special Olympics Grampian |
Intermediate |
|
Matthew Evans |
Rossendale Special Ski Club |
Intermediate |
|
Anthony Hibbard |
Special Olympics West Mids Ski Group |
Intermediate |
|
Ayesha Franks |
Special Olympics South East Ski Group |
Advanced |
|
Annabelle Lamb |
Special Olympics Eastern |
Advanced |
|
Cameron de Vial |
Rossendale Special Ski Club |
Advanced |
|
Stefan Nakoneczny |
Special Olympics Surrey |
Advanced |
Figure Skating
|
Stephanie Gott |
Special Olympics North West |
|
Oliver Snook |
Special Olympics Southern |
“It’s a fantastic achievement for an athlete to represent their nation at any level of any sport,” said Laura Baxter MBE, Chief Executive of Special Olympics GB. “By having an intellectual disability, all 10 of our athletes have overcome barriers and significant challenges to be able to participate in their sport, and to now be able to enjoy such an incredible sporting and life experience.
“Competing at a Special Olympics World Games is often a catalyst to transforming the life of someone with an intellectual disability, often developing new confidence and skills that can support their independence and careers.
“We’re very excited about the opportunity ahead for all 10 athletes and to helping them achieve their dreams at the Special Olympics World Winter Games.”
Special Olympics GB recently announced that its team for the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 will be led by Head of Delegation Laura Davies, who is Special Olympics GB's Head of Events. Special Olympics Grampian's Adrienne Purdie is appointed as Assistant Head of Delegation and Bob Thow as Alpine Skiing Head Coach, with Paul Crocker of Special Olympics Southern appointed as Figure Skating Head Coach.
Laura Davies said: “We’re working closely with all 10 athletes, and their families to ensure that everyone has the best possible support and preparation for the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025.
“The squad will come together for two training weekends in the build up to the games, in addition to the regular time that’s spent training with their accredited Special Olympics GB club at home.
“Creating such an incredible opportunity for athletes with intellectual disabilities does require very detailed planning, and it presents some logistical challenges. We’re very grateful to the volunteers for giving their time to support our athletes as well as our partners for the funding that makes it possible.”
Special Olympics GB uses the power of sport to transform the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, providing regular training and competitions. Operating in England, Scotland and Wales, the charity has more than 6,600 athletes benefitting from opportunities in 27 different sports, which are delivered by a devoted team of 3,800 volunteers.