Confrontation at the National Winter Games: ski stars of a special kind

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Joel is 23. He likes cordon bleu and pommes duchesse, music and gaming. And he likes to play football. However, his great passion is skiing. And there the young man with trisomy 21 is so excellent that he can participate in the Special Olympics National Winter Games. These will take place from March 14 to 17 in the Haslital Brienz region. “I drive super fast and always do my best!” he says and laughs mischievously.

Joel works and trains at the Sunneschyn Foundation in Meiringen BE, which specializes in children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Maurice also rides for the sports group Sunneschyn Foundation. He is a big fan of train, bus and boat trips, loves pizza and – like Joel – “Tschutte” and skiing. He also participates in the Games in the latter discipline. «Come and see, it’s going to be super cool! I’m happy!” he says beaming.

Appreciation and positive emotions

The joy that the two official ambassadors of the National Winter Games radiate is contagious. And you feel that when you talk to the organizers. “It is a matter of the heart for us that we can organize the event and celebrate the games,” says Bettina Marusik, project manager of location marketing and regional development for the Haslital Brienz region.

The Sunneschyn Foundation is home to about 130 people with disabilities, she says. “As a result, they are part of our daily life – in the village, but also in the region. And that’s why it’s even more fun to organize an event for them. An event where the athletes can compete. An opportunity where they can experience positive emotions and be appreciated.”

The National Winter Games take place every four years, alternating with the National Summer Games. But it is not a purely Swiss affair. “There are also foreign delegations there. This year, in addition to Liechtenstein, San Marino, Germany and the Netherlands are also participating.” Athletes can compete in the disciplines of alpine skiing, snowboarding, curling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and floorball, a winter indoor sport.

The slightly different event

With the organization, Special Olympics supports the Haslital Brienz ski area, where the games will take place for the first time. “Many things are a little different at these types of competitions than at other events. That is why we contribute our experience,” says Irene Nanculaf, marketing and fundraising manager at the foundation.

The limitations of the participants are very different and also of varying degrees of severity. “So that we can do justice to all these different skills and keep the competitions fair and exciting, Special Olympics has divisions,” Nanculaf explains. This means: “On the first day of the Games, all participants compete in divisional competitions – called divisions – in their respective disciplines. Based on their performance, they are divided into as homogeneous a group as possible of a minimum of three to a maximum of eight athletes, all of whom have a comparable level. In the final, the participants only compete against each other within these performance groups.

Stage with many stages

Unlike Odermatt and Co. at the Ski World Cup, at the end of the Special Olympics Games not only one athlete receives the gold medal in a discipline, but there is gold – in addition to silver and bronze – in each individual group. The podium also has eight places. «The award ceremony is very important. It is always a party for the participants,” says Nanculaf

Overall, the games have great meaning for the participants. “People with an intellectual disability often live in institutions. You do not automatically have easy access to sports offers. By preparing for the events, they get the opportunity to train regularly and thus do something for their health.”

The games would also draw attention to people with intellectual disabilities. “They are in the spotlight and are celebrated, appreciated and respected for their achievements. And they are seen as athletes and not reduced to their disability. That is very important for their self-esteem.”

Many volunteers help

During the competitions, the athletes are cared for by 500 volunteers. This year there will be around 30 BKW employees. “BKW is one of our main sponsors,” says Bettina Marusik. “We are very grateful that we have found such a reliable partner who supports us financially and also with many helpers.”

One of the BKW volunteers is Roger Nikles (57), who has been head of the warehouse and space at the Mühleberg nuclear power plant since 2001. “I think that BKW’s commitment to people with disabilities is an important step towards a future that is worthwhile for people and the environment,” says the father of two adult children. His goal for the Winter Games: “I want to support the athletes so that they can achieve their sporting goals with passion, emotions and a lot of fun – and have an unforgettable sporting experience.”

Brigitte Müller is also there as a volunteer. She has worked at BKW since 1991 – as a visitor guide at Mont-Soleil, where she introduces interested parties to the solar and wind power plant. “I like contact with people,” she says. She registered to participate in the Winter Games for the following reason: “I admire people who are fighters despite a disability – whether in sports or in everyday life. I’m sure we can all learn a lot from them.” Brigitte Müller is thrilled that her employer BKW has allowed her to help with the games. «Thank you very much for allowing me to contribute to the success of this event!’

Celebrities also support the Winter Games. Wrestling king Matthias Glarner is one of the ambassadors, as are ex-shot put legend Werner Günthör and dialect pop singer Trauffer. More information and a video with Trauffer, Joel and Maurice can be found at www.wintergames2024.ch.

Source : Blick