The third day of the First Inclusive Ski Cup “Sarajevo 2026” marked a historic moment for Bosnian sport. For the first time ever, an inclusive ski race was organized in Bosnia and Herzegovina, bringing together persons with disabilities and non-disabled participants in a shared competitive format.
The event was organized by the Ski Club for Persons with Disabilities Sarajevo, in cooperation with BRAVO, within the COOPERATION project, co-financed by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Sport programme, and implemented with partners from Serbia, Montenegro, and Bulgaria.As part of the global WINTERSPORTWEEK, the race symbolically connected Bjelašnica with winter sports events in 35 countries around the world.
An Inclusive Competition Format
The race was designed as a parallel giant slalom, carefully adapted to ensure safety, fairness, and inclusion. The innovative format allowed:
- Children and adults with disabilities (physical and intellectual) to compete on one part of the course
- Non-disabled participants to ski on the parallel section of the track
Participants skied simultaneously, symbolizing equality, mutual respect, and shared responsibility for inclusive sport development.
Among the non-disabled participants were:
- Ambassadors and representatives of foreign embassies in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Representatives of executive and legislative authorities
- Professional athletes
- Journalists and public figures
Their participation was a strong public statement of support for inclusion and equal access to sport.
Beyond Competition: Visibility and Social Impact
The inclusive ski race was not only a sporting event, but also a powerful awareness-raising action. By placing persons with disabilities at the center of a high-profile winter sports competition, the organizers challenged long-standing barriers and misconceptions.
The event demonstrated that:
- Inclusive sport can be professionally organized
- Persons with disabilities can actively participate in competitive winter sports
- Cooperation between civil society, institutions, and international partners creates real change
The presence of international project partners from Serbia, Montenegro, and Bulgaria further strengthened the European dimension of the event and showcased the value of Erasmus+ Sport funding in enabling such initiatives.
A Milestone for Inclusive Winter Sports in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The First Inclusive Ski Race on Bjelašnica represents a turning point for winter sports in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It opened new perspectives for:
- Future inclusive competitions
- Development of adaptive winter sports programmes
- Stronger institutional support for inclusive sport policies
By successfully implementing this event, Sarajevo sent a clear message to Europe and the world: inclusive sport is not an exception, but a standard worth building.
As part of WINTERSPORTWEEK 2026, the First Inclusive Ski Cup “Sarajevo 2026” stands as a strong example of how local action, European cooperation, and global solidarity can come together on the slopes.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Promoting sports and emphasizing their significance in daily life encourages social inclusion and well-being for all ages, genders, and backgrounds. The project uses sports to educate children and youth, instill good values, and train sports workers and coaches.
The main goals are to build basic groups, share best practices from other countries, promote social inclusion through sports (focusing on children with developmental disabilities and those facing disadvantages), and foster positive values such as team spirit. Youth and sports professionals will benefit from the transfer of expert knowledge.
The project will hold workshops, events, and programs that use sports for informal education and advocate for changes in public policy and legislation. The project will target various populations to address the often-overlooked importance of physical activity in public health policies.
The Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity, and Health emphasizes the importance of school policies and programs that promote healthy habits and physical exercise for children, youth, and the community. Sports improve motor skills, confidence, and resilience in children with disabilities and special needs. Physical education and school sports encourage physical exercise and an active lifestyle, enhancing public health. Sports can prevent diseases, improve mental and cognitive health, and engage older adults.
This project will use non-traditional educational methods to create engaging activities and events that teach people about inclusion, gender equality, and healthy habits through sports. This approach demonstrates that sports can be inclusive, innovative, and creative for different learners and communities.