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Dario Mosconi of Special Olympics Italy practices and competes in Alpine skiing every Saturday during the season with his Special Olympics team, U.S. Brianza S.Tremolada. |
Editor's note: Dario Mosconi is a global finalist in an online contest, the "Impossible is Nothing Challenge," by adidas, and was asked to compose his biography for the Special Olympics Web site.
"My name is Dario Mosconi, I'm 16 years old and I live in Monza (the city of the famous car speedway) in Italy. I was born with Down syndrome, the most frequent cause for intellectual disability.
"In my family there are also my father Alessandro, my mother Paola, my brother Simone (12) and my sister Marialetizia (3). I hope in the future to be able to have my own family with my girlfriend.
"I'm quite tall (160 cm.), with light brown hair and green eyes with glasses. I like very much every sport activity, but in particular swimming, Alpine skiing and mountain trekking. I train swimming at least twice a week and during winter season Alpine ski every Saturday.
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Dario Mosconi, third from left, with his father Alessandro (far left), participating in one of his favorite activities, mountain trekking. Dario's friend Saverio is next to him; Saverio's father Giovanni completes the climbing quartet. [Photo courtesy of Alessandro Mosconi] |
"I learned swimming when I was 6 years old, and skiing when I was 8. I began to compete in Special Olympics starting from age 10 for swimming, and two years ago for skiing.
"I also love mountain trekking and at age 13 I climbed on the top of one of the highest mountains in the Italian Alps, Castore [4,226 meters high]. This story was so considered that I won a national prize in contest launched by adidas, also an official supporter of Special Olympics Program in Italy.
"I'm also interested in many other sports and probably in the future I will try to test my ability in other disciplines. Sport and Special Olympics are for me very important, because they are the occasions in which I can test my ability, enhance my performance, prove to myself and to the entire world that I'm able to compete and win; the same is for my friends (150 in my Team).
"One of my greatest dreams is to participate in the next Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano."
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