Congratulations to the Special Olympics competitors who returned from Turin with twelve medals: You are our pride, inspiration and greatest role models!

March 19, 2025

Congratulations to the Special Olympics competitors who returned from Turin with twelve medals: You are our pride, inspiration and greatest role models!

The eight representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, members of the BiH delegation at the Special Olympics World Winter Games, held in Turin, returned home with 12 medals, thereof: three gold, eight silver and one bronze. This is not only a sport success, but also a message about the power of inclusion and equal opportunities for all athletes.

The Special Olympics BiH is proud of the competitors who have shown through their dedication and talent that no boundaries exist. The staff of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports is proud too, given that Edna Šunjić, an employee of the Ministry, was at the BiH competition team in Turin.

Minister Sanja Vlaisavljević, who supported them marching in the parade at the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony, also sent congratulations to Edna, but also to all our competitors who represented Bosnia and Herzegovina with dignity at the competition of the best in Italy:

“Our dear Edna, Rasim, Amina, Spomenko, Sedina, Kenan, Njegoš and Mesud… We are immensely proud of your participation in the competition of the best and I am overjoyed that I was able to share a small part of that magic with you. Your strength, motivation, perseverance and self-confidence can be an inspiration to all of us! Your medals are a symbol of struggle and uncorrupted love, and that is why I extend my most sincere congratulations to you, wishing you to be even better on your path and to enjoy each of your sport and life success endlessly, sincerely, as you have done so far. And that we enjoy together with you. We love you!” said the Minister.

A day after the BiH delegation had returned home, a press conference was organised at which the competitor Edna Šunjić and the Executive Director of the Special Olympics BiH, Kada Delić Selimović spoke, as well as Adnan Džindo, Assistant Minister for Sports on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports.

“I want to thank my Special Olympics BiH and the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports, who saw me off to the Olympics and welcomed me home, but also to everyone who supported our BiH team on the way to Turin,” said Edna Šunjić.

The Executive Director of the Special Olympics of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kada Delić Selimović, highlighted the results and enthusiasm of the BiH competitors and said that there were 1,500 athletes from 100 countries at the Winter Olympic Games in Turin. As she emphasized, our athletes not only achieved exceptional sport results, but also inspired the community to embrace diversity and enabled equality for all.

The World Winter Special Olympics project is an international sport event intended for athletes with intellectual disabilities, held every four years, promoting inclusion, equal opportunities and the strength of the sports spirit. The main mission of the Special Olympics is to show that sport is not only a competition, but also a powerful tool for empowerment, inclusion and breaking down barriers.

The medal winners in the disciplines of the golden youth of BiH are the following:

Nordic skiing:

500 m freestyle:

Sedina Brkić (F07) – gold

Amina Halilović (F05) – silver

Kenan Topalović (M07) – silver

Mesud Kasum (M07) – bronze

5000 m:

Njegoš Mihajlović (M03) – silver

1000 m:

Amina Halilović (F07) – silver

Kenan Topalović (M07) – silver