Photograph by Valeriano Di Domenico/Valeriano Di Domenico
Lukas Hämmerli and Victoria Kälin aren’t any odd dance duo. As companions, they’re set to symbolize Switzerland on the Particular Olympics World Winter Video games Turin 2025—the world’s largest sports activities and humanitarian occasion of 2025.
This dynamic pair shares a deep ardour for dancing, which has introduced them collectively and set them on a path of mutual assist, rhythm, and pleasure. They met at ‘Stiftung Bühl’ college within the Swiss municipality of Wädenswil after they have been 15 years previous, and their friendship has since remodeled right into a flourishing partnership on the dance ground.
Lukas’ and Victoria’s tales are a part of the ‘Have a good time the Distinctive’ marketing campaign, supported by Toyota Motor Europe and UPS, a visible and narrative venture designed to highlight eight distinctive Particular Olympics winter athletes representing their nations on the World Winter Video games Turin 2025.
A Lifelong Ardour
For Lukas, 23, dancing has been a lifelong ardour. “I began dancing on the age of three,” he recalled, crediting his dad and mom as his first lecturers. Engaged on a farm, Lukas discovered dancing to be the right counterbalance to his bodily demanding job. His favorite fashion is disco fox, a dance he discovered early in life and one he often enjoys with Victoria, 23, at native discos.
Victoria’s entry into DancSport got here by way of Lukas, who invited her to a disco get together. “I like music, and so I began dancing with him,” she mentioned. Their shared love for music has flourished ever since. Whereas Lukas gravitates towards disco fox, Victoria prefers the cha-cha-cha, drawn to the readability of its rhythm.
Collectively, they prepare weekly, honing their routines beneath the steerage of coaches and supplementing their follow with particular person health regimens. Lukas additionally provides jogging, weightlifting, and push-ups to his bodily preparation. “Mentally, I don’t want a lot,” he mentioned. “I like dancing a lot—it’s straightforward to remain targeted.”
Photograph by Valeriano Di Domenico/Valeriano Di Domenico
DanceSport premieres at World Winter Video games
DanceSport is a brand new addition to the Particular Olympics World Winter Video games, and Lukas and Victoria are proud to be amongst its pioneers. “It’s very cool,” Lukas added. “I’m proud to symbolize Particular Olympics and Switzerland.” Victoria echoes his sentiments.
DanceSport takes its place amongst eight sport disciplines which 1,500 athletes representing greater than 100 nations will compete in on the World Winter Video games.
Past their aggressive aspirations, each dancers purpose to encourage. Lukas lately taught a cha-cha-cha crash course at Sekundarschule Hausen am Albis. Regardless of a minor ankle damage earlier than the primary lesson, Lukas powered by way of, sharing his enthusiasm with college students. “One pupil acted a bit foolish at first,” he recalled. “However later got here to me and requested, ‘Lukas, are you able to present me this step once more? I wish to be taught it correctly.’ Isn’t that cool?”
Victoria shares the same need to encourage others by way of their performances. “I wish to present individuals how lovely this sport is and maintain my pleasure for it,” she mentioned. Lukas added, “I wish to marvel the viewers and contact them with our dance.”
Celebrating the Great thing about Motion Collectively
As they put together to take the stage in Turin, Lukas and Victoria are able to showcase their skills, their bond, and their love for dance. They hope their efficiency won’t solely spotlight their abilities but in addition display the braveness, dedication, and pleasure that DanceSport brings to their lives. For them, it’s not nearly successful—it’s about inspiring others and celebrating the fantastic thing about motion collectively.
The DanceSport competitors will happen between 9 and 15 March on the Palazzo delle Feste in Bardonecchia, Italy.
The Particular Olympics World Winter Video games Turin 2025 can be held in Italy from 8 – 15 March, with over 1,500 athletes from greater than 100 nations competing throughout eight sports activities: alpine snowboarding, cross-country snowboarding, DanceSport, determine skating, floorball, brief observe velocity skating, snowboard, snowshoeing.
