Indian Contingent: Special Olympic Summer Games 2015

Bharat (India) Special Olympics Facts & Figures 

World Games 2015 Delegation

Head of Delegation: Mr Satish Pillai

Estimated Total Involvement: Atheletes - 241; Coaches/Staff -92

Sports: Aquatics(08); Atheletics(40); Badminton(04); Basketball(20); Bocce(02); Cycling(24); Football(7 a side)-11;16; Golf(07); Handball(24); Powerlifting(18); Roller Skating(24); Softball(15); Table Tennis(04); Volleyball(24).

History: Founded in 1987 as Special Olympics India and later changed to Special Olympics Bharat in 2001.

Mission Statement: To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with an intellectual disability, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community.

"Founded in 1968, the Special Olympic movement comes with a great impact that changes lives of those who are disabled and consider their life as a curse. Using sports as the medium, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance."

After having a success in Pyeong Chang, South Korea in 2013 and in Athens, Greece in 2011, Special Olympics has returned to the United States after 16 years. Los Angeles will be hosting the event for the third time. India won 20 medals at Special Olympics 2013 where several athletes like Anishka Upadhyay, Raj Kumar Tiwari, Bipasha Mukherji, and Bharat Bhatia won Gold in Alpine Skiing, Figure Skating, Speed Skating and Snowshoeing respectively.

Special Olympics World Summer Games Los Angeles

(Fact: Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded the Special Olympics in 1968)

Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held at Los Angeles in California from July 25 to August 2, 2015

Throughout the nine days of inspiring competition, the 2015 World Games will offer many festive, educational and engaging programs for athletes, guests, families and fans.  

 +Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 

We would be closely following various sporting events and development. You are also invited to join the fun at the Special Olympics Festivals, special sports and program demonstrations, Opening and Closing Ceremonies and more. Learn about the Special Olympics Movement and be inspired by the dedication of millions of supporters who keep the Special Olympics spirit alive every day in communities across the globe. 

Also we would like to share the story of Indian Girl, Ashwini Atalkar, Differently abled, and suffering from mental disabilities since childhood, can run like the wind! She is all set to run the 100 metre sprint at the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2015.  American President Barack Obama is likely to be at the event which is organized by the Joseph Kennedy Junior Foundation for promoting sports for the intellectually challenged persons.

An Indian Contention
As reported in  NAGPURTODAY edition (+Rajeev nagpurtoday), Story of Ashwini, daughter of Vinayak Atalkar and his wife, Ashwini was not just intellectually challenged but physically fragile too. As her coach Vishal Naik recollects “When she came to us, she was very fragile and her hands were bent and locked. Initially, it was extremely difficult for us to train her. We made her undergo physiotherapy sessions. But she soon made amends, and herself took interest. She was very punctual and used to report for the practice before time.” Vishal is so impressed by her zeal he says ” Her determination and passion to excel is really amazing. Every youngster can learn from her”.families and fans.  

Ashwini had to first clear trials at district level, then state and nationals before clearing four preparatory camps where they grill the candidates under toughest of conditions. She travelled Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad for these trials. Her proud 43-year-old father gives credit for her success to her determination and her coach’s hard work.

Ashwini has ben helped by CAFE Ngo of Nagpur in meeting with her sporting and schooling goals.