Star of a reality show and featured in ELLE Romania magazine, the Special Olympics athlete now takes on Turin 2025
Special Olympics Romania athlete Anca Miron has a zest for life that shines in her every move, whether she’s dancing the tango, capturing life through her camera lens, painting, or doing sports.
The 41-year-old’s love for folk and modern dances, her award-winning photography and her athletic achievements reveal a multifaceted woman who uses creativity and hard work to bridge gaps and celebrate humanity.
But it’s sometimes hard to imagine that the same person who performs a tango routine and clicks the shutter to patiently capture striking moments, also trains intensely to compete in snowshoeing at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. There, she will join 1,500 athletes from over 100 countries competing in the world’s largest sports and humanitarian event.
Yet, Anca embodies the spirit of someone who refuses to be confined by limits.
Anca’s story is part of the ‘Celebrate the Exceptional’ campaign, supported by Toyota Motor Europeand UPS, a visual and narrative project designed to spotlight eight exceptional Special Olympics winter athletes representing their countries at the World Winter Games Turin 2025.
“I love music and dancing,” Anca said with a smile. “I’m adventurous and eager to try new things.” Tango is one of her favorite pursuits, and the elegant movements of the dance mirror her approach to life: rhythmic, and full of passion.
Her artistry extends to photography, a talent that first gained recognition in Cluj when a photograph of her grandfather standing before the Pietà statue in Rome earned her a prize, judged by professors from the Faculty of Fine Arts.
“Winning boosted my confidence to keep exploring the beauty of nature through my lens,” Anca recalled. Her camera has since become an extension of herself, capturing flowers, trees, and even snails in the grass with an artist’s eye for detail and emotion.
But Anca is more than an artist. In 2019, she became one of the stars of ‘Down the Road. Adventure’, a reality show broadcast on Romanian National Television. Her appearance highlighted her resilience and ambition, qualities that have also led to her being featured in the prestigious ELLE Romania magazine. Her philosophy—that everyone is beautiful because of their eyes and smiles—was a central theme of the feature.
“When do you feel the most beautiful?” she was asked. “Every day,” she replied.
Getting ready for the Special Olympics World Winter Games
Now, Anca is preparing for the next chapter of her extraordinary journey: competing in snowshoeing at Turin 2025.
“I never thought I’d have this chance, and now all I can do is prepare as best as possible,” she shared. “Physically, I follow the recommended exercises—cycling, climbing stairs, walking. Mentally, I try to imagine the moments without anxiety.”
“Watching Olympic athletes, I saw they were nervous too! The joy of being there is overwhelming, and I’ll do my best to succeed.”
From her artistic endeavors to her athletic wins, Anca’s life is a testament to the power of saying “yes” to challenges.
Snowshoeing, a demanding sport, challenges Anca’s physical endurance. She discovered it during a ski camp with Special Olympics Romania, and though it wasn’t easy at first, her dedication has turned it into a triumph. “Running on snow is such a unique sensation,” she said.
Amid all her pursuits, Anca’s dream remains deeply rooted in her love for people. “I want to become a kindergarten teacher and support children with and without disabilities,” she said. “My desire is to help and my love for others is what inspires me.”
The snowshoeing competition will take place between 11 and 15 March at the Sport Center in Sestriere, Italy.
The Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 will be held in Italy from 8 – 15 March, with over 1,500 athletes from more than 100 countries competing across eight sports: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, dance sport, figure skating, floorball, short track speed skating, snowboard, snowshoeing.
