The 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games set to be held in Turin, Italy from March 8th to March 15th
February 20, 2025: The Indian contingent, comprising 49 members, is set to represent the nation at the prestigious Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025, to be held in Turin, Italy, from March 8th, 2025 to March 15th, 2025. The contingent includes 30 athletes and 19 support staff, who will be participating across 6 sports disciplines – Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Floorball, Short-track Speed Skating, Snowboarding and Snowshoeing.
This monumental event will be the largest sports and humanitarian gathering of the year, showcasing the incredible talents and resilience of individuals with intellectual disabilities and promoting global inclusion through sports.
The 12th edition of the Special Olympics World Winter Games will feature 8 disciplines and are expected to draw over 1,500 athletes, 621 coaches and 1,00,000 spectators from 102 countries.
Additional special programs including the Special Olympics Global Youth Leadership Summit, Healthy Athletes Screenings, and the Motor Activity Training Program will also be organised for athletes, families and spectators at the 2025 Winter Games.
India’s participation in the World Winter Games has a rich history, with past performances resulting in an impressive medal tally. India has earned a total of 167 medals over the years in Winter Games, including 73 gold, 49 silver and 45 bronze medals across various disciplines.
Wishing the athletes the best, Dr. Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat said, “I would like to extend my best wishes to athletes who will represent India at the Special Olympics Winter Games. Their hard work and dedication inspire us all, and we look forward to witnessing their spirited performances in Turin. We are extremely excited to watch our athletes in action and are sure that they will make the country proud yet again on the global stage.”
About Special Olympics Bharat:
Special Olympics Bharat is a National Sports Federation accredited by Special Olympics Inc. USA, to conduct sports and development programs all over India. Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement using sport, health, education, and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Bharat is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India as a National Sports Federation for the development of Sports for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. It is incumbent to inform that Special Olympics and Paralympics are separate entities wherein the former reaches out to Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and, the latter to those with physical challenges. SO Bharat has over 1.5 million Athletes registered across all the States and Union Territories of India.