The best feeling ever
Back in 2024, I was over the moon when I got the call to represent Great Britain (GB) at the Special Olympics in Turin! The excitement was real, and I dove into training—skiing in Hemel Hempstead and Aldershot, plus hitting the gym and Park Run to build strength and fitness. I couldn’t wait to wear our Team GB ski gear and hit the slopes in Sestriere, Italy.
Flying high
On 6 March 2025, I met the team in Gatwick - 21 athletes, coaches, and staff. I was excited to meet new teammates and see old friends like Stefan and Annabelle. After a fun flight, we landed in Turin, where we were welcomed by cheering crowds and interviewed by the media. It was an unforgettable experience.
Terrific Turin
We spent a couple of days in Turin for the opening ceremony and The Healthy Athletes programme. I got a fitness check and apparently, I needed to improve my balance with some tandem walking and toe tapping. I’ve met BBC sports presenter Joe Wilson and even did an interview about advocating for autistic girls with learning difficulties.
Ski racing in Sestriere
The Special Olympics ski races start with divisioning, grouping athletes of similar speeds. For the Giant Slalom, we headed to the slopes early, proudly wearing our Team GB gear. After inspecting the course with my teammates, I felt hopeful for a bronze. But after a sketchy first run and a mistake that led to disqualification, I was disappointed. However, I came back stronger the next day in the Super Giant Slalom, my favourite race. I skied well, built speed, and earned a gold medal! Walking onto the podium, I couldn’t believe it—this was the moment I’d dreamed of, celebrated with my teammates, family, and the media.
Next came the slalom, the most technical race. I wasn’t confident, but with some support from my teammate Annabelle, we both made it to the podium! I took home a silver medal and couldn’t be prouder, and the team’s support made it even more special.
The week flew by, and on the final Saturday, we attended the closing ceremony. Amid the snow, we watched the Olympic flame extinguish and the Special Olympics flag pass to Chile for the 2027 Summer Games.
Highlights (other than winning medals)
Beyond the medals, having my family there to cheer me on and being part of an incredible team was a highlight. I’m so grateful to the coaches and support staff for getting us ready to compete each day.
Achieving a dream
After competing in my first National in 2020, I set a goal to represent GB at the World Winter Games. Winning GOLD in 2025 was the dream come true! Now, I’m proud to be part of the Athlete Leadership Training Programme and help spread the word about Special Olympics.
Watch the BBC documentary that I feature in which Joe Wilson made at the games called The World in Turin.
Category: ATLAS