India Going for Gold at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Special Olympics World Winter Games Set To Return After Eight Years
India have sent a formidable 49-member delegation to Italy to participate in the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025, which will take place between March 8 - 16. This marks a significant step for the country as it looks to build on its remarkable performance at the last edition of the Games held in Austria in 2017, where they achieved an impressive haul of 73 medals, including 37 golds.
The athletes representing India will showcase their skills across six disciplines: Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, floorball, short-track speed skating, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. With a strong focus on both individual and team events, the contingent will be eager to bring their best to the global stage in Turin, aiming to continue India’s legacy of excellence at the Special Olympics Winter Games.
This year’s Games will be the largest sports and humanitarian event of the year, showcasing the incredible talents of individuals with intellectual disabilities while promoting global inclusion through sports. India's participation in the World Winter Games has a rich history, with past performances bringing the nation a total of 167 medals, including 73 gold, 49 silver and 45 bronze medals spanning the various disciplines.
The prestigious global event will bring together 1,500 athletes from 102 countries, all vying for coveted medals across eight disciplines. Check out the best online bookmakers for betting on athletics here on SportyTrader!
Massive Support For India At World Winter Games
Dignitaries extended their heartfelt best wishes to the departing athletes at the send-off ceremony, offering words of motivation and encouragement as they prepare to represent the proud sporting nation on the global stage. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Indian Union Sports Minister, expressed strong confidence that India will surpass their highest-ever gold medal tally at the upcoming Games, saying:
"I am seeing tremendous enthusiasm among these athletes. During the last edition of the Special Olympics World Winter Games, India won 37 gold medals, and this time, I am confident we will perform even better.”
Ahead of the athletes’ departure, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) organised 11 national coaching camps across Chandigarh, Narkanda, New Delhi, Gwalior, Noida, and Gurgaon to ensure their preparedness for the upcoming event. In addition to these training camps, SAI also provided the necessary equipment for both training and preparations, while the Ministry sanctioned funds to cover airfare, as well as the boarding and lodging expenses for athletes and support staff for the duration of the Games.
