Photograph by rasim aslan
For Particular Olympics Germany floorball participant Ines Kwaschnowitz, having Jasmin Stopfkuchen as her Unified companion has made all of the distinction. “She reassures me, offers me confidence and ideas, and helps me when issues get tough,” mentioned Ines.
This bond is obvious of their rituals, corresponding to strolling hand in hand throughout warm-ups. This seemingly small however important second displays their deep mutual belief and friendship. It additionally encapsulates the facility of Particular Olympics Unified Sports activities® which brings collectively athletes with and with out mental disabilities to coach and compete on the identical workforce.
Ines and Jasmin’s story is a part of the ‘Rejoice the Distinctive’ marketing campaign, supported by Toyota Motor Europe and UPS, a visible and narrative mission designed to highlight eight distinctive Particular Olympics athletes representing their international locations on the World Winter Video games Turin 2025.
Constructing Confidence By means of Floorball
For Ines, floorball has been a transformative journey. She joined her workforce out of curiosity however shortly fell in love with the sport. “I wished to present it a strive, and I had a lot enjoyable that I stayed within the workforce,” she mentioned. With preparations for Turin 2025 in full swing, she mirrored on how far she has come. “It’s been an thrilling journey. I’ve discovered to play with new folks and have skilled new emotions.”
The coaching is rigorous however rewarding. Twice every week, Ines balances her demanding work at a packaging workshop within the metropolis of Oldenburg with night coaching periods. Her preparation for Turin contains sustaining a nutritious diet and staying hydrated, along with her teammates, coaches and Jasmin offering important encouragement. “They help me once I really feel homesick or upset,” she mentioned. “I like her (Jasmin) as a result of she’s good, calms me down and may distract me in aggravating conditions. And on the resort, she helps me with issues which are tough for me.”
Jasmin, an occupational therapist who first joined Particular Olympics Germany throughout an internship in 2018, speaks fondly of the partnership. “Ines and I’ve grown nearer over time. I do know what she likes to eat, drink, and watch on TV. She’s not only a teammate; she’s a buddy.” Their camaraderie creates a supportive atmosphere that enables each to thrive on and off the sector.
“We additionally spend time collectively outdoors of coaching and at all times have a superb chat,” Jasmin added. “It is nice to see how Ines develops and turns into braver and extra assured with each new Particular Olympics occasion!”
Photograph by rasim aslan
Unified Sports activities has formed each Ines and Jasmin. Ines feels that her workforce is sort of a household, a sentiment shared by Jasmin, who says this chance has taught her the worth of respect, and teamwork. “I’ve discovered to speak in easy language, what respect means and the way necessary it’s to look out for one another,” she defined.
“I used to be so positively stunned by the workforce and the best way everybody trains collectively that I instantly had enjoyable and began coming to coaching recurrently. I used to be in a position to develop loads by means of the game and get to know myself higher as an individual.”
Their floorball coach Oliver Scheplitz ensures that athletes and Unified companions inside the workforce strike a steadiness between particular person enchancment and collective progress.
Trying Forward to Turin
With the World Winter Video games on the horizon, Ines is able to showcase her expertise and characterize Germany. She carries classes from previous competitions, just like the significance of collaboration and adapting to new environments, as she prepares to take the sector. For her, the final word purpose is straightforward but highly effective: “Collaborating is all the things.”
Ines additionally hopes to encourage others with mental disabilities to discover sports activities. Her recommendation? “Simply strive it out and discuss to different athletes.”
The floorball competitors will happen between 10 and 15 March on the Inalpi Area in Torino, Italy.
The Particular Olympics World Winter Video games Turin 2025 will likely be held in Italy from 8 – 15 March, with over 1,500 athletes from greater than 100 international locations competing throughout eight sports activities: alpine snowboarding, cross nation snowboarding, DanceSport, determine skating, floorball, quick observe pace skating, snowboarding, snowshoeing.
