The Special Olympics Pilipinas gymnastics athletes have intensified their preparations for the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile, through specialized training sessions at the CoLab Performance Gymnastics facility in Pasig City.
Around 20 athletes selected from the national Special Olympics gymnastics pool last year are now undergoing a structured training program under a partnership between Special Olympics Pilipinas and CoLab Project.
Ava Maxinne Labrador and her siblings Marcus Labrador, Aluna Labrador, and Alani Labrador founded the initiative to create opportunities for athletes of all abilities to train, improve, and thrive in an inclusive and supportive environment.
The partnership provides athletes with access to professional coaching, proper gymnastics equipment, and structured evaluations—resources many of them previously lacked.
“This is the first time we’ve had access to a gymnastics facility where our athletes can truly develop skills and be properly evaluated,” said Zoren Alfonso.
Alfonso said the athletes quickly embraced the training despite many of them being new to gymnastics.
For families, the program offers more than athletic development. Coaches and parents said the training helps athletes build confidence, discipline, resilience, and a stronger sense of inclusion.
Program organizers noted that gymnastics, known for its demanding routines and precision, helps strengthen both physical and mental toughness among the athletes.
As preparations continue, the team has opened opportunities for sponsors and partners willing to support inclusive sports programs. Contributions will help fund training, competition expenses, and athlete development as the team prepares to represent the Philippines on the world stage.
The 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games will run from October 16 to 24 in Santiago, Chile. More than 6,000 athletes from over 170 countries are expected to compete in 22 sports at Santiago’s National Stadium Sports Park, highlighting the global movement toward inclusion and social transformation through sports.
For sponsorship inquiries and partnership opportunities, interested parties may contact the CoLab Project through Ava Maxinne Labrador, Aluna Labrador, Alani Labrador, or Marcus Labrador via email at colabperf@gmail.com or through Instagram at @colab_project.
