On 11 November 2016, Mrs. Sarah Lewis, Secretary General of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) signed a Proclamation announcing the FIS’ unanimous support and affinity for Special Olympics and all its Skiers and Snowboarders. Special Olympics skiing and snowboarding competitions are based on FIS rules. This recognition will help Special Olympics and its programs use resources that could not have been possible without this support.
Currently, Special Olympics athletes compete in Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, and Cross Country Skiing. Additionally, Special Olympics is supported by many Skiing celebrities like Simon Amman (Special Olympics Switzerland Ambassador), Bernard Russi (Special Olympics Switzerland Board Member), Karl Schranz, Anna Feniger, Marcel Hircher in Austria, and Deborah Campagnioni in Italy that support our work at the national level.
As a follow-up to a Proclamation signed in November 16, 2006 the FIS and Special Olympics have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2021 to join forces to engage athletes with and without intellectual disabilities by improving access to quality snow sport experiences. The organizations collaborate to expand participation and engagement in alpine skiing, cross country skiing and snowboarding around the world. The position of FIS is that snow sports are for all, which is reflected in the Bring Children to the Snow campaign with events taking place in over 50 countries around the world, more than 5 million participants and increased access to snow sports.
The FIS and Special Olympics partnership focuses on the following areas:
- Promotion and activation of global organizers snow sport moments such as World Snow Day and Snow Kidz.
- Dedicated event plans and consultation to host events and actions to introduce athletes with intellectual disabilities to snow sports.
- The creation of a guide for coaches and instructors on how to teach athletes with intellectual disabilities snow sports.
Currently, Special Olympics athletes compete in Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, and Cross Country Skiing. Additionally, Special Olympics is supported by many Skiing celebrities like Simon Amman (Special Olympics Switzerland Ambassador), Bernard Russi (Special Olympics Switzerland Board Member), Karl Schranz, Anna Feniger, Marcel Hircher in Austria, and Deborah Campagnioni in Italy that support our work at the national level.