New Delhi, 20 February (HS): India's 49-member contingent will participate in the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025. The Indian contingent participating in this competition to be held from March 8, 2025 to March 15, 2025 in Turin, Italy, includes 30 athletes and a support staff of 19 people. Indian players will compete in 6 sports events - alpine skiing, cross country skiing, floorball, short-track speed skating, snowboarding and snowshoeing.

This grand competition will be the biggest sporting event of the year, in which a large number of athletes, support staff and others will be seen playing their role. It will see the incredible talent and resilience of persons with intellectual disabilities. Inclusion will be promoted globally through these games.

The 12th edition of the Special Olympics World Winter Games will feature 8 sporting events and will see more than 1,500 athletes from 102 countries compete under the guidance of 621 coaches and 1,00,000 spectators are expected to attend.

Additional special events will also be organised during the Winter Games 2025 for athletes, families and spectators, including the Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Summit, Healthy Athlete Screening and Motor Activity Training Programme.

India has a rich history of participation in the World Winter Games and has made an impressive presence in the medal tally in previous editions. India has won a total of 167 medals including 73 gold, 49 silver and 45 bronze medals in various Winter Games events over the years.

Wishing the athletes the best of luck, Dr. Mallika Nadda, President, Special Olympics Bharat said, “I would like to extend my best wishes to the athletes representing India at the Special Olympics Winter Games. Their hard work and dedication inspires us all, and we look forward to seeing their strong performances in Turin. We are extremely excited to see our athletes in action and are sure they will once again make the country proud on the global stage.”

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar