By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Stefanie Wiegel is among the 7,000 athletes with disabilities vying for medals at the 2023 Special Olympics in Berlin.

Listening to the 31-year-old, one enters a world filled with the passion of a committed sportsperson. "It gives me so much. I meet people, I am active, and I enjoy life much more than without it," said Wiegel, an inline skater and snowboarder.

She emphasized that sports provides a platform for athletes to "receive appreciation and recognition." Training and competition, she added, seem to construct a bridge to what's perceived as a typical life.

While winning several medals over the years brings joy, it's the transformative power of sports that's made the most significant impact on Wiegel's life. She naturally stepped into the role of spokesperson for the 14 German athletes in 2017.

Assuming responsibility for the German team enhances her life, Wiegel said, alongside maintaining a certain level of independence in her daily life.

Wiegel works in a sheltered workshop in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, nestled between Duesseldorf and Leverkusen.

With continuous support from her parents and family, a structured daily routine provides the stability she needs to navigate everyday challenges.

"I am always amazed at how she developed and how much independence she gained," said Dietmar Wiegel, Stefanie's father.

While he attends all of her training sessions and maintains close contact throughout the Berlin Games, he sees himself as a supporting figure in the background.

Stefanie's participation in both the Summer and Winter Games narrates her fervor for sports.

"Otherwise, I would only be sitting around at home, bored. I love to see other people, converse, and strive for goals. Regardless of the competition's outcome, I just love to be around," she explained.

To Wiegel, becoming an Olympic champion or winning medals seems to be a delightful byproduct of her participation.

The German athlete is thrilled about the Games taking place in her home country and hopes for further development in inclusive sports.

Competing at home in front of her family and friends and meeting athletes from 190 countries and regions is a phenomenal experience for her, she confessed.

The competitions in 26 disciplines are projected to draw the attention of over 300,000 spectators throughout the German capital.

The 2023 Games, running until June 25, represents the largest multi-sport event in Germany since the 1972 Olympic Games held in Munich.

Alongside traditional competitions, 16 events under the guideline "Unified Sports" will occur, demonstrating the value of inclusive sports where athletes with and without disabilities compete together.

"We enjoy it and take it as a normal thing. It's important we do sports together," Wiegel concluded. Enditem

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