The European Basketball Week is an inspiring event bringing together 25,000 participants across 35 European countries. This initiative highlights the importance of inclusion and the unifying power of sport as a universal language. We were honored to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for this special week, hosted by one of the most storied teams in Italian basketball, Olimpia Milano. The iconic Mediolanum Forum served as the backdrop for the event, where we witnessed moving testimonials from Special Olympics athletes and an exciting tournament, organized in partnership with Cisalfa Sport. This long-standing partner has been a committed supporter of Special Olympics, an organization founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver and now active in nearly every corner of the globe (in 200 countries around the world). We previously covered this powerful partnership in a recent editorial feature (link to article).

The event was a celebration of equality and unity, with the Forum’s court filled with meaningful gestures and inspiring messages. A precious message came from Alberto Fiasconaro, Cisalfa Group Marketing Director, who shared: “Cisalfa Sport was founded from a small store that has been active since 1977. Today, it is the leading company in Italy for the sale of clothing, footwear, and equipment for sports and leisure. For us, sport has always been a tool for promoting well-being—both physical and mental. Sport helps us feel better and teaches fundamental values that influence all aspects of our lives: respect, responsibility, determination, and cooperation. These are the values we’ve found in Special Olympics Italia, and we’re proud to support this initiative during Special European Basketball Week. Sport—especially basketball—brings people together through passion, and it helps individuals improve both on the court and in life, just as it does every day through Special Olympics.”

Our photo gallery captures the essence of this symbolic day, representing the larger message of inclusion and community that defines the week.