The idea of elitist sports faded long ago. The concept of an activity practiced by only a few has too. Hockey has climbed in popularity thanks to the opportunities it provides. A few years back, hockey expanded its options, becoming more popular and inclusive, and even introduced Hockey ID. What once seemed a distant goal has become a reality, advancing to the point of being part of the IV Special Olympics Latin American Games. This time, held in Paraguay with teams from Chile, Uruguay, and a local Paraguayan team.
The love in the atmosphere could be felt even before breathing in the air. The spirit of self-improvement was higher than in any other competition. These 10-player teams, competing six-on-six with a goalie on half-field, prioritize values above all else, making it impossible to step onto the field and lose. Everyone gains something. From October 1st to the 15th, Asunción witnessed many role models.
The game's rules are set by the FIH for this format.. Achieving this unity requires many parts. The international program is driven by Norman Hughes and is being implemented in as many countries as possible. The intention to make it grow is so strong that key figures from Europe traveled to collaborate with the organization and help maintain the quality of the competition. Linda van Overmeire-Sandkaulen came from the Old Continent, from German lands, and said she was very happy to contribute to the development of ID hockey in South America: "It was an amazing experience. I felt a warm welcome from the moment I arrived at the tournament," she shared.
From Spain, Anna Mata also spoke about her country's participation: "When we received the invitation to participate in the Special Olympics in Asunción, we were very excited, although it also posed a great challenge for us both operationally and athletically. The circumstances of such a long journey with our group require a great effort and dedication, but as in past experiences, we knew it would be very rewarding to attend. Overall, we are very satisfied with the organization, and we would especially like to highlight the kindness, commitment, and willingness of both the organization and the volunteers. We would also like to point out that in our discipline, gender equity is not easy to achieve, and in this case, Asunción was a pioneer in supporting it in all forms," explained the Spaniard.
A key part of the legacy that this event with Hockey ID aims to leave is absolute inclusion. How? By giving participants opportunities beyond just being players. The referee manager was Germany's Christoph Adler, who, after the Berlin Games, created a program to train athletes as referees. This time, Jan Niko Kleinatland from Germany officiated on the field. Jan, born in 1992, is now part of the German Hockey ID national team. Growing into an authoritative role in a match is undoubtedly a giant step in the sports world.
Feeling part of something big is what makes these Olympics truly special. They are different because the energy is unique. Smiles and acceptance abound. There is no room for comparison; instead, there's always a place for adaptation.
Victoria Paz from Paraguay shared the experience of hosting: "We are very happy to have welcomed the teams to our home, letting them experience our country and helping us continue growing. It was days filled with hockey, learning from each game, and enjoying every day. The organization was incredible, making each match a celebration and allowing athletes to shine after months of training. We are thrilled to have lived this experience, and we believe we can inspire other countries to help inclusive hockey grow on the continent."
The next event on the agenda is the Special Olympics World Games in Santiago in 2027. The Pan American Federation invited Erika Schumacher from Chile to prepare for this new challenge.
"This tournament offers athletes with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to compete in an international tournament with the highest standards. This might seem obvious or logical, but we know that in reality, people with ID often don't experience minimum levels of formality, rigor, and quality in their activities. These experiences have an enormous impact on athletes, strengthening their passion and identification with field hockey, encouraging them to continue developing in this discipline and making it a fundamental part of their lives," explained Erika.
On what she plans to bring back to Chile from this experience, she added: "The opportunity to share the field with teams from other countries is unique, reminding us how important it is to work hard to continue developing Hockey ID in Chile and across Latin America. It is essential to promote this discipline in the region to create more opportunities for athletes. We want to highlight the dedication and professionalism of the organizing team, who not only provided an excellent sports tournament but also fostered an environment of camaraderie and kindness, ensuring that regardless of the results, this experience is extremely positive and enriching for each player, impacting their wellbeing as athletes and as people."
In any other event, we would talk about the podium or medals. But in these Olympics, everyone takes first place. Each one, a gold.
