The Hindu : Special Olympics for special kids

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 24, 2002

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Special Olympics for special kids
By Sandeep Joshi

Far from Salt Lake City in the U.S. where the Winter Olympics are being held these days, over 1,200 ``special'' participants will be competing in Special Olympics in the Capital not to compete for medals but to share some rare moments of camaraderie and discover their hidden talents.

At the three-day event for Delhi area -- being organised by the New Delhi Young Men's Christian Association at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here from February 25 -- mentally challenged participants from over 30 ``special schools'' will be competing in four team events -- cricket, soccer, basketball and bocce (an Italian game developed specially for the Games) -- and 57 athletic events.

The Special Olympics Games are held to help the special children to discover their true potential. Organisers feel that although not curative in itself, therapeutic recreation as a part of treatment proves to be a catalyst for substantial improvement in them and enhances their overall functional capacity and ability.

This worldwide event was started by the U.S.-based Joseph P. Kennedy Junior Foundation in 1968 and is now the largest sports movement for the ``differently abled'' where over a million athletes participate in more than 160 countries. The Delhi event will be followed by the national event and culminate in the International Olympics in Ireland in 2003.

Carrying the spirit of the Special Olympics Games oath -- ``Let me win, but if cannot win, let me be brave in my attempt'' -- the special participants are all set to show the world that they too can excel and create their own roads.

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Special Olympics for special kids