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.

Developmental Disorders Series

Where to Start Seek Help

Mental Retardation

I. What is Mental Retardation? (More Details Here)

Mental retardation (MR) is a developmental problem manifested during a child’s years of development (i.e. 0-18 years old). It is a condition whereby a child’s intelligence and adaptability are significantly below the average level of his peers.

II. What causes Mental Retardation?

Genetic factors
-- Hereditary factors or chromosomal abnormalities
Pregnancy and birth factors
-- e.g. misuse of drugs or excessive alcohol intake during pregnancy, complication of birth, prematurity
Infancy and childhood
-- Infections and brain injuries, e.g. meningitis, brain trauma, etc.
Unknown factors
-- The cause in most cases is unknown

III. How does Mental Retardation affect the child?