The incredible story of Special Olympics GB athlete Stephanie Gott will be told in a new feature documentary that captures the extraordinary journeys of four athletes as they competed in the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025.
Stephanie is one of four Special Olympics Europe Eurasia athletes to be featured in ‘Unified by Sports: The Special Olympics Journey’. The recently released trailer offers a first glimpse of the full 45-minute documentary, set to premiere later in 2026, marking one year since the landmark Games.
Born with a congenital heart defect, Stephanie’s life was saved by Italian surgeon Dr. Marco Pozzi. They were reunited at Turin 2025 in a deeply emotional encounter. Despite facing bullying while growing up, the support of her family and her love for figure skating helped her gain confidence and a sense of freedom.
Stephanie reflects: “When I first laced up my skates as a teenager, I never imagined I’d be flying to Italy to compete on the world stage.
Ice skating has taught me to trust my own strength, and every moment in Turin reminded me that resilience isn’t just about winning medals, it’s about celebrating how far you’ve come.
"For anyone who experiences challenging situations, please remember that you are not alone and there is always support and an opportunity to help you feel as free as a butterfly.”
In addition to Stephanie’s story, Unified by Sports follows Italy’s cross-country skier Eros Zanotti, Romania’s snowshoer Anca Miron and Switzerland’s snowboarder Marcel Schilling, providing an intimate look at their daily lives, training routines, and experiences competing on the global stage. Supported by the European Union, through the Erasmus+ programme, the documentary illustrates the transformative power of sport in terms of athletic achievement, as well as in fostering confidence and inclusion.
David Evangelista, President & CEO of Special Olympics International, says: “Special Olympics shows us that sport is about more than competition, it is about giving every athlete a place to belong, a voice to be heard, an opportunity to thrive.”
“This documentary highlights the courage and grit of our athletes as they face real challenges, and it reminds us that while progress has been made, so much work remains. Sport is central to that mission, breaking down barriers, and opening doors and minds alike. We are deeply grateful to the European Union for championing inclusion and helping make these opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities a reality across the continent.”
In addition to the documentary, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia is also releasing a children’s book series, featuring illustrated stories of each athlete’s journey. The books aim to teach young readers about empathy. Each book will be available in English and the athlete’s native language.
The documentary and book series form part of a broader ‘Unified by Sport’ campaign celebrating the impact of Special Olympics across Europe and the world. Audiences can watch the trailer online via Special Olympics Europe Eurasia’s digital channels and anticipate the full documentary premiere later this year.