the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023which was held from June 17 to 25 last summer, was the largest inclusive sporting event in the world with more than 6,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 178 delegations participating to compete in the German capital.
Among these thousands of athletes is Italian swimmer Anita Greco. Her story now forms part of a A five-episode video series It was launched on the occasion of the games’ first anniversary. The Anita Ring was created thanks to funding from the European Union (EU).
“Swimming is her life”
Anita is so in tune with the open water that she calls herself a mermaid. When you watch them swimming in the clear waters of Lake Como, it’s hard to disagree. “I love being out here in the open water,” she says. Swimming makes her feel free. “Swimming is her life,” says her father, Giuliano, simply. It was her passion for swimming that led Anita to attend the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin for a life-changing experience.
Looking back at Berlin, her mother Elena says: “It was the most intense experience of her life from the moment she was born.” “Anita was swept away by her parents – her performance and her enthusiasm. “You did it so well!” Giuliano exclaims emotionally. These feelings flow through them any time they remember Anita’s magic at the World Games.
“I was swimming very fast because I wanted to win for you and for others,” Anita smiles as she dedicates her performance to her mother and father.
Photography by Simone Castrovillari
“I have matured a lot”
Elena explains that the Games experience was just a transformative experience: “She has matured a lot. She feels like she can do things on her own now. She has come back with a lot of self-confidence.” Anita adds: “Being a national athlete especially means being able to do the same things.” That others do. “This was a wonderful and very emotional experience.” Anita especially enjoyed the camaraderie of being part of the Italian Special Olympics team and getting to know her teammates.
It was also a very proud moment for her coach Lucia Zulberti, who has been training Anita since she was just 18 months old! “I’ve been following Anita into the water for 18 years,” she says. The impact extends beyond Anita, her family and her coach to the wider community and even the entire country. “In Italy and in her community, Anita has become an ambassador,” says Lucia. “So that many families can think, ‘If Anita can do it, my child can too!’”
Anita’s video was funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for it.
