There are no boundaries between sports and everyday life. The principles and values embodied on the track, the court, and other athletic settings translate directly into daily existence. These universal lessons foster courage, drive the pursuit of seemingly unattainable goals, and create forms of independence that active, empowering inclusion can unlock.

This interweaving of collective effort and individual development is at the heart of the Special Olympics mission and Cisalfa Sport’s vision. A partnership formed a year ago from a shared desire to highlight the social and athletic value of unified sports to the broadest audience possible. This commitment takes many forms, from providing specialized uniforms and apparel to supporting events on national and international levels. All of this is powered by a guiding principle: promoting common values and fostering an increasingly open and inclusive sports culture.

As Alberto Fiasconaro, Cisalfa Group Marketing Director, explains, “Sport creates well-being, and this is our corporate creed. Therefore, we are proud to promote physical activity in all areas of life.” Fiasconaro continues, “This is why we have embarked on a path to spread the culture of sports—a path that goes beyond selling or marketing products. It means spreading the principles and responsibilities that come with sports, for oneself and for others. This is why we decided to collaborate with Special Olympics.”

A key partner for a leading association, Cisalfa Sport and Special Olympics have, for over half a century, succeeded in changing both sporting and social paradigms, often transforming people’s lives in the process.

“The movement was founded in 1968,” says Alessandra Palazzotti, Special Olympics National Director. “Special Olympics grew out of the vision of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, whose sister Rosemary had an intellectual disability. After seeing the positive impact of play and sports on her sister, Eunice set out to create opportunities for people with similar problems. At that time, many were confined to institutions under harsh conditions. In response, Eunice Kennedy Shriver gathered a scientific committee and launched a project that, over the past half-century, has taken root in over 200 countries. The Special Olympics has been present in Italy since 1983.”

The impact of the Special Olympics is tangible across many aspects of society, creating an ideal mosaic composed of athletes, coaches, and volunteers. This mosaic goes far beyond mere assistance, instead focusing on genuine competition and promoting both individual and collective growth. The commitment of partners like Cisalfa Sport supports this vision, contributing to a future for Italy that is open and without barriers.

To understand the future, we start from the present, from the voices of those who are investing their energies, thoughts, and ideals into a perspective that has already revolutionized the world but cannot and will not stop at the exceptional progress achieved. These are the words of Alberto Fiasconaro, Cisalfa Group Marketing Director; Alessandra Palazzotti, Special Olympics National Director; Alessandra Sanna, Special Olympics National Athletics Coordinator and Coach; and Marco Petrozzi, Special Olympics National Basketball Coordinator and Coach. Their testimonies and our special photo gallery dedicated to Special Olympics athletes in athletics and basketball help us grasp the full value of the Special Olympics experience and the universal principles of this association.

SUPPORT. The philosophy of the Special Olympics could not thrive, especially in Italy, without the support of partners that share its values. The synergy with Cisalfa Sport exemplifies a partnership that enables the organization of events at both national and international levels—essential milestones for the association’s mission—and reinforces its societal role by sharing its ideals and goals.

“The concept behind the relationship between Special Olympics and Cisalfa is to truly team up together,” says Alessandra Palazzotti, Special Olympics National Director. “Cisalfa gives us the opportunity to do things we never thought we could do. They support us financially, but their human support is equally important. I talk about team spirit because I can’t define what has happened between us in any other way. We have never been interested in meaningless sponsorships; we want to carve a path together with those who support us, so we can achieve common goals. We believe that synergies like this can help change society.”

“Cisalfa is a sports presence throughout the country,” says Alessandra Sanna, National Athletics Coordinator and Special Olympics Coach. “The fact that it addresses Special Olympics athletes, treating them with the same respect as any other athlete, is fundamental. Their support extends to joint participation in events, like the Milan Marathon, where our athletes competed alongside the Cisalfa team in the relay. These moments make our athletes feel valued. The same goes for technical support; it creates a rewarding dynamic for both us and the athletes themselves.”

“Cisalfa has shown us over the years that it is well aware of the weight that sports can have as a tool for social inclusion,” says Marco Petrozzi, National Basketball Coordinator and Special Olympics Coach. “Often large business entities take care of the economic-business side, but I find the social balance sheet to be equally important. Cisalfa’s interest in sports for people with disabilities allows the Special Olympics Italy movement to grow, and the growth of the movement is synonymous with cultural growth throughout the country.”

“We started from the Cisalfa values, from the principles that we feel are ours, and that we want to represent,” says Alberto Fiasconaro, Marketing Director of Cisalfa Group. “We have a corporate credo: wellness comes from sports. In our daily lives, we are committed to promoting physical activity and sports at all levels, while also striving to create opportunities for everyone. As a leader in the sale of sporting goods in the Italian market, we recognize our potential to have a positive role and impact on both the sports and non-sports landscape of the country. Our connection with Special Olympics arises from these values and from the desire to elevate sports as a catalyst for change and inclusion. As Special Olympics teaches, we all play together—both in the field of sports and in the field of life—and we are proud to convey this message.”

MEANING. Special Olympics goes beyond the traditional, often stereotyped, concept of physical activity, becoming synonymous with opportunity. It offers the chance to translate experiences from the track or field into everyday life—helping participants grow as individuals first and athletes second. It demonstrates to them and to society that a culture of inclusion is not only possible but necessary. Moreover, it inspires a shift in perspective on a global scale.

“Being a Special Olympics coach for me is the equivalent of always putting yourself out there,” says Alessandra Sanna, National Athletics Coordinator and Special Olympics Coach. “Every training session, every event is a journey of discovery. You have to constantly adapt and find new ways to help athletes compete in a positive environment. They are the first to take risks and put themselves out there, and I deeply admire them for that. Working with Special Olympics athletes has rekindled my love for sports. Seeing their joy in training has reignited my passion. They place their trust and genuine competitive spirit in me, and this dynamic fills me with indescribable emotions. When I’m with them, I feel a great sense of responsibility, but I’m also enriched. They are accomplished athletes, and I treat them as such—some run the half marathon in an hour twenty-one. Yet, they are always ready to turn around, wait for others, and try to improve. They don’t give up and never get tired. It’s truly inspiring.”

“As a coach, I strive to guide—not so much from a sports and technical perspective, but from a human standpoint,” says Marco Petrozzi, National Basketball Coordinator and Special Olympics Coach. “I define my role with one word: welcoming. That’s what the athletes do for me every day in the gym. They welcome me without judgment, without filters or barriers. In my own small way, I try to do the same for them—to bring out their strengths and qualities. I fell in love with this world from the very first moment; it has a unique allure. Everyone is playing with everyone, and I see my athletes grow daily—not only as athletes but as individuals. Autonomy, self-reliance, self-awareness—these are the skills we train three times a week in the gym and put into practice on game day. My contribution, and that of other coaches, may seem small, but witnessing this journey of growth is incredibly rewarding.”

“It is an honor to stand alongside the Special Olympics, its athletes, and their families,” says Alberto Fiasconaro, Marketing Director of Cisalfa Group. “The significance of our partnership lies in the opportunity to learn from the daily realities of these athletes. Experiencing their challenges and difficulties firsthand helps us continuously appreciate the true impact that sports can have on lives. Sports teach us resilience—how to fall, fail, and rise again. Growth in sports goes hand in hand with personal growth, and this is a cornerstone for Cisalfa.”

EXPERIENCE. Sport is a teacher of life, and this lies at the core of Special Olympics: an athletic, social, and human ethos transmitted through action. It conveys a message that can reshape perceptions of reality, opening minds to a future where a person’s potential and abilities are what truly matter—not their limitations. This awareness grows with every action, every interaction, every word. It’s like a constantly evolving testament, demonstrating the transformative power of inclusion and opportunity.

“My father was one of the pioneers of the Special Olympics program in Italy, and he introduced me to it as a volunteer,” says Alessandra Palazzotti, Special Olympics National Director. “Once you experience this reality, it’s impossible to walk away. For me, it started with an experience during a swimming competition. An athlete, overwhelmed by the crowd and separated from his coach, was hesitant to enter the water. I was there as a volunteer to accompany him to the starting block. I assured him that I’d follow him from the side of the pool for the entire race, and he agreed. With every stroke, he glanced over to make sure I was there, and he ended up winning. We celebrated together, and when he got on the podium, he wanted me to present him with his award. For me, that moment embodies the heart and soul of the Special Olympics.”

“The growth of Special Olympics athletes is especially evident at national and international events when they travel only with their teammates and coaches,” says Alessandra Sanna, National Athletics Coordinator and Special Olympics Coach. “Each time they return home, they come back more mature and independent. Let me give you an example: I took an autistic athlete to Dubai for an international competition. She was particularly anxious before departure, worried about being away from her family for a few days. When we arrived, we couldn’t contact her mother right away due to network issues. After a few hours, the situation improved, and I joined her in a common room where she was talking to other athletes. I told her she could finally call home, and she said she couldn’t do it at that moment because she was busy. I texted her mother and told her what she’d said. After a few seconds, the mother texted back, telling me she’d been waiting for a message like that for 19 years. It was a beautiful moment.”

“In 2000, I saw Special Olympics basketball for the first time, and I was hooked,” says Marco Petrozzi, National Basketball Coordinator and Special Olympics Coach. “I love basketball—I was an average player, and for many years a federal coach. But with Special Olympics, I discovered a different world, one where everyone is welcomed, no matter their abilities. One of the biggest issues in Italian basketball is the high dropout rate. At Special Olympics, no one is excluded or made to feel they don’t belong; everyone has the opportunity to play with athletes of a similar level. To build a winning team here, it’s not about having players who ‘win games’ on their own. It’s about nurturing the group’s internal dynamics and creating balance. Achieving this means managing my own emotions as well as those of others. And while I try to remain composed, that doesn’t mean I don’t get emotional during events or on certain occasions.”

“I got to play football with Special Olympics athletes,” says Alberto Fiasconaro, Marketing Director of Cisalfa Group. “I had tons of fun, experiencing firsthand the values conveyed by the association and its social aims. I felt the physicality of it all—the fatigue, the sweat, my aching shins. There is no difference; it’s real sport. It was an unforgettable moment, and I recently had the same experience during a run-walk event organized in collaboration with Special Olympics at the Trento Sports Festival.”

VICTORY. May I win, but if I fail, may I try with all my might. Inherent in the oath of Special Olympics athletes is the essence of the association’s own vision: that victory lies not in superficial results but in the immeasurable effect that each training session and every event has on the personal development of each athlete. Maximum effort on the field, according to Special Olympics, translates to victory in life, a win for society as a whole.

“In our competitions, we reward everyone. The concept we convey is that arriving at a competition is, in fact, equivalent to having already earned a medal by overcoming numerous barriers through commitment alone. And commitment must be recognized. In the Special Olympics universe, the concept of competition takes many forms. I once witnessed an athletic competition where an athlete fell, only to be picked up by his opponent who could have won. They ended up finishing last and second last, but they were celebrated by all. If we apply this to schools, it’s clear how this approach can help younger generations. We focus on commitment, not unbridled competition or an obsessive pursuit of results.” — Alessandra Palazzotti, Special Olympics National Director

“The message we want to convey is that it feels good to win, obviously, but real victory lies in more than clinching first place. Victory lies in getting the best result, in preparation, in always having another chance, even if you get a race wrong… Every training and event is an opportunity to improve oneself, to overcome fears and learn—this is true victory. Overcoming obstacles in sports serves to overcome those in daily life. Maturing the awareness that commitment, in itself, is a great achievement, leads to the evolution of Special Olympics athletes in their approach to life as a whole.” — Alessandra Sanna, Special Olympics National Athletics Coordinator and Coach

“In the Special Olympics, victory is more than just improving your rankings. If we help an athlete improve their autonomy, their sense of self-efficiency, and become aware that progress in the gym can also be transferred to daily life, then we’ve won. It’s victory in a broader sense. Success is as much about improving the third half or your shooting as it is about managing the social and individual dynamics the athlete hadn’t been able to before.”– Marco Petrozzi, National Basketball Coordinator and Special Olympics Coach