Special Olympics in Luxembourg: How Fynn Thome went from last place to national champion

His father Martin Thome, who has accompanied him since the start of his running career, remembers the first training sessions. „Die ersten Trainingseinheiten seien für ihn und seinen Vater Martin eine große Herausforderung gewesen, sagt er.“ At the beginning, Fynn needed about 38 minutes for five kilometers and had to take walking breaks again and again. „Er wollte plötzlich immer öfter zum Lauftraining“, erinnert sich Martin Thome.

From last place to a personal best

The training goal had been modestly formulated. „Unser Ziel war es eigentlich, dass Fynn die Strecke läuft, ohne ins Gehmuster zu verfallen, völlig unabhängig von der Zeit“, sagte Martin Thome. The fact that this goal has since turned into medals at supra-regional competitions, the family also attributes to the environment in which Fynn trains.

Fynn Thome and his father are members of the Kultur- und Sportverein für Menschen mit Beeinträchtigungen (KUSMB). In addition, they have joined the running and triathlon club Lauf- und Triathlonfreunde Lebach (LTF Theeltal) in order to be able to train under competitive conditions. Club colleagues describe Fynn as helpful and caring in his dealings with his fellow athletes.

Training in two clubs

The emotional moment of crossing the finish line in Luxembourg is still fresh in the family's memory. „Fynn sah so unglaublich glücklich aus, als er durchs Ziel lief und stolz war, diesen Lauf geschafft zu haben“, sagte Martin Thome. For Fynn himself, the next highlight is already set: the national Special Olympics in Germany, in which around 4,300 athletes with intellectual disabilities will take part.

Fynn is one of 215 Saarland athletes who will compete at the national games between June 15 and 20. The competitions will be held in 27 sports – more than at any previous national summer event of the Special Olympics in Germany. The Special Olympics is considered the largest inclusive multi-sport event in the country.

Outlook on the national games

Beyond sport, Fynn Thome has made friendships through the State Games that continue to this day. For the upcoming national games, he has already planned numerous meetings with athletes from other parts of Germany. „Ich freue mich schon auf die Special Olympics – auf die Eröffnungsfeier und auf das Laufen“, sagt er.

His father is also looking forward to the upcoming competitions with excitement. Even if expectations regarding placements are deliberately kept low, the family focuses on the shared sporting journey – a journey that began about a year ago with a registration for the State Games and has since led into the national spotlight.