3 Rhode Island Athletes to Compete in Special Olympics World Winter Games in Italy in 2025

3 Rhode Island Athletes to Compete in Special Olympics World Winter Games in Italy in 2025

Three Special Olympics Rhode Island athletes are among the more than 100 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners, along with 23 coaches, from across the country who have been selected to be part of the official Special Olympics USA delegation for Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025.

Special Olympics Rhode Island (SORI) announced on Wednesday that the delegation will travel to Turin, Italy, to compete in more than eight sports March 8-16.

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Kayla Edgar, Brianna Puglia, and Ian Shepherd are taking part with Special Olympics USA.

 

About Athletes

According to SORI: 

Kayla and Brianna will compete in Snowshoeing while Ian takes to the slopes to compete in Alpine skiing.

Kayla, a proud Westerly resident and member of the South County Stingrays, has been a Special Olympics athlete for over 25 years, competing across three states. She is passionate about giving back to the organization, actively participating in Penguin Plunge fundraisers and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

Beyond her achievements in Special Olympics sports, Kayla is an accomplished equestrian. 

The Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin 2025 will mark Kayla's debut competing on an international stage.

A Narragansett resident and Cranston Cyclones team member, Brianna has been a dedicated Special Olympics athlete since 2019, excelling in bowling, golf, soccer, snowshoeing, and tennis. As a graduate of Special Olympics Rhode Island’s Athlete Leadership University, she has trained to be an athlete spokesperson, delivering speeches on behalf of the organization.

Brianna is proud to have graduated from high school, completed a work training program, and secured a job at a local supermarket.

She eagerly anticipates her first World Games experience!

Ian, a proud Newport native and member of the Newport County YMCA Sharks, has been a dedicated Special Olympics athlete for 23 years, competing in three previous World Games. A former member of the Special Olympics Rhode Island Board of Directors and a recent graduate of our organization's Athlete Leadership University, he is now prepared to embrace even greater leadership roles.

Beyond his Special Olympics achievements, Ian is an Eagle Scout and serves on the Board of Directors for Looking Upwards, a nonprofit supporting children and adults with disabilities.