Fontana: “Sport is a means for inclusion”, the torch for Special Olympics 2025 lit at Palazzo Lombardia

Lombardy Region celebrates inclusion with the lighting of the Special Olympics Torch at Palazzo Lombardia. President Fontana, together with the'Councillor Lucchini and Undersecretary Picchi, welcome the athletes who will participate in the 2025 Special Olympics Winter World Games in Turin, an event that promotes sport, respect and inclusion.

The President of the Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana, lit the Special Olympics Torch today at Palazzo Lombardia, a global movement that, through unified sport, is creating a new world of inclusion and respect, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of their ability or disability.

For the first time in Italy, from 8 to 15 March, the Special Olympics Winter World Games will be held in Turin, which will be attended by over 1500 athletes with and without intellectual disabilities representing 102 delegations from all over the worldThe ceremony was attended by the regional councilor for Family and Social Solidarity, Elena Lucchini, and the Undersecretary to the Presidency with responsibility for Sport and Youth, Federica Peaks, who previously welcomed, together with the President of the Regional Council, Federico Romani, the Lombard delegation of Special Olympics athletes and technicians who will take part in the World Games.

"It's a beautiful demonstration - said President Fontana welcoming the athletes when the Torch is lit – the start of an event, the Turin 2025 World Games, which will be as important as the Olympics Milano Cortina 2026. Seeing so many kids enthusiastically participating in this event is something that reassures. It is a moment of inclusion and ability to express one's life, we must give them the opportunity to do so. Sport is an ideal means to allow them to express themselves".

The undersecretary Federica Picchi wanted to thank Special Olympics and all the representatives of the Paralympic world and Coni. "We are a great team, you are champions in life, not only in sports, and in being a role model for other kids – he said during his speech -. With this event we want to say that different abilities are not a 'minus' that takes something away from the person, but a greater wealth. The different ability of a child, for his or her parent, is an extraordinary human wealth, it is a profound beauty, which all of us could not do without. And as a society we cannot do without you: all together we plurally represent a more complete, full and civil society. Today we are living a beautiful historical moment, which we are starting simultaneously throughout Italy. The Lombardy Region is there and welcomes everyone".

"For the Lombardy Region – said the councilor Elena Lucchini -  promoting the realization of the life project of people with disabilities is a priority of the legislature. Welcoming to Palazzo Lombardia the delegation of athletes and technicians from Lombardy called to the Special Olympics Winter World Games, I wanted to remember how much this international event can contribute to increasing the culture of inclusion. Aware of the indispensable alliance between institutions and associations, the essence of our being a community, I wanted to thank all the athletes who will bring all their strength and humanity to Turin, attesting to the extraordinary value of sport".

Today, simultaneously in every region, athletes with and without intellectual disabilities completed the Community Run, a symbolic and shared race leading up to the World Games. Carrying the flame of hope, the Lombardy team reached the Pirelli building with the torch, escorted along the way by the Local Police of MilanoThe Torch Run, which announces the arrival of the great global sporting event, represents a unique opportunity to raise awareness throughout the country. The shared goal will be to spread a choral message of inclusion, peace and valorization of people with intellectual disabilities so that they are recognized for their abilities and not discriminated against for their differences..

The Opening Ceremony of the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games will take place on March 8 at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, while the Closing Ceremony will take place on March 15. Turin, Sestriere, Pragelato and Bardonecchia are the locations where the races and events will take place.

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