The Ministry of Sport offered a warm and emotional reception to the Special Olympics Chile team that represented Chile at the World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. The ceremony took place at the Paralympic Training Center in the National Stadium Park and was attended by sports authorities, Special Olympics athletes, and family members.
“We are proud to welcome these athletes who have honored the name and flag of our country, not only because of their medals, but also because they are an example and a demonstration of sport as a tool for development, transforming lives and putting into practice such important values as inclusion and camaraderie,” said Sports Minister Jaime Pizarro.
At the reception in Turin, the flame of hope was presented to Emilia Ríos, Undersecretary of Sports. It will be lit again in Chile to represent the competition’s arrival on national soil in October 2027.
“It was a very meaningful experience, both to accompany the delegation in Turin and represent the government’s support for the event and Special Olympics, and also to see and share in the joy and excitement of the athletes competing and feeling proud to represent our country,” said Undersecretary Emilia Ríos.
The delegation from Special Olympics Chile won 18 medals: 9 gold, 4 silver, and 5 bronze, while competing in alpine skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
For her part, Carolina Picasso, president of Special Olympics Chile, stated, “We are incredibly proud of the young people who participated and gave their all, but also of the coaches and families, of this work that has been carried out very seriously for years, and that in this competition, the result came almost naturally. So, understanding that this work we are doing in Chile is truly a very important matter and has the commitment of institutions and people who allow us to do this serious work is tremendously gratifying.”
The Special Olympics World Games will be held in Santiago in October 2027, marking the first time this competition has been held in a country in the Southern Hemisphere. Nearly 6,000 athletes from 170 countries are expected to compete in 22 sports. The State of Chile and the city of Santiago have committed to an investment of approximately $134 million to organize this event.
