The 2023 World Games in Berlin were a highly anticipated platform for athletes from all over the world to showcase their talent and hard work. For some, like cyclists from Special Olympics Bharat (India) and Special Olympics Pakistan, their sporting dreams were initially limited by poor quality bicycles and gear. In fact, during an earlier World Games in 1999, both countries’ teams had to contend with damaged bicycles due to poor transportation practices.

Reflecting on these challenges, Satbir Singh Sahota, coach of Special Olympics Bharat, said: “Most athletes are from below the poverty line. It is very difficult for them to keep up, especially in a sport like cycling where bicycles and equipment are costly. Unlike sports like football or basketball, you need good equipment.”

Tracy Lea, a longstanding Special Olympics (SO) volunteer official for global cycling events, was one of those who noticed the lack of proper equipment for teams from India and Pakistan back in 1999. She recalled seeing the bicycle frames from the two teams crushed as they had been shipped in cardboard boxes rather than hard, protective cases.

After seeing a repeat of broken and substandard equipment over the years, Tracy canvassed multiple companies hoping for donations. However, efforts to secure proper equipment for the Indian and Pakistani delegations had often fallen short.

Finally, in 2022, a breakthrough came when Gina Vanderloop, CEO of ROI Solutions, made a pivotal US$10,000 donation. This critical financial gift enabled the purchase of new bikes, helmets, and spare parts for both teams. The logistical challenges of shipping were also overcome with the support of Special Olympics Asia Pacific (SOAP), who managed direct and timely delivery to India and Pakistan so that athletes from both countries could train properly for the upcoming games.

The coaches even participated in a joint training session conducted by Lea ahead of the World Games in Berlin, picking up tips on packing the bicycles safely in hard cases and learning what important spare parts are needed, when travelling for major competitions.

Adil Lakho, coach of SO Pakistan, added, “There is a huge difference and impact that SOAP and SO Pakistan has created after these athletes join the movement. The positive experiences and sense of community the athletes gain here will equip them to become productive members of society upon returning home.”

With the new equipment and gear in hand, athletes like V. Indu Prakash and Mughees Alam were able to shine on the global stage. Prakash even went on to win gold in the 1km time trial. 

As Satbir Singh Sahota aptly summarised, “We are thankful for the donations of excellent cycles because of which we are here today. We couldn’t come to the Games with our regular cycles. This would not have been possible without all the help we received.” 

He added, “Winning medals is secondary. Our primary focus is reintegrating them back into mainstream society. Inclusion is a core value of Special Olympics. My goal is for them to become independent and stand on their own.” 

Reflecting on the broader significance, Tracy Lea observed, “Politics can sometimes divide India and Pakistan, but in Special Olympics, the focus is always on the athletes and creating a space for them to thrive.”  

To know more, follow @humanraceasia and @soasiapacific.

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We discovered Special Olympics in Pakistan when I was 8 years old. Special Olympics was conducting a free health screening for people with intellectual disabilities as part of their Healthy Athletes program in Karachi, and I went for an eye test. My teachers and parents were shocked to find out that I had cataracts in both eyes. My father, in particular, was very upset. He couldn’t believe that I had such a condition more common in the elderly, at this young age. He was depressed for a time and said that things would never improve in my life.

After the screening, the Special Olympics team referred me to the LRBT hospital, a free eye hospital in Karachi, for further treatment. Cataract surgery was recommended, and an appointment was made in December 2016. Unfortunately, on the day of the surgery, I had a chest infection and the procedure had to be postponed. Finally, in April 2017, I had surgery done on one eye.

I will never forget the day I had my eye shield removed at my follow-up check. For the first time in years, I saw the faces of my loved ones and those around me clearly. It was as if the fog had lifted. I was thrilled, and so was my family.

Six months later, I went for a second procedure for my other eye. My life has been completely transformed since. Since my vision improved, I have gained the confidence to take part in various sports activities. I have been training in cycling with Special Olympics Pakistan, and my health has improved as a result. I also love doing art, reading, and playing video games with my elder brother!

My family says I am a changed person. Previously, I kept to myself and stayed home a lot. Today, I am a cheerful and outgoing teenager. Seeing a change in my personality and attitude over the past few years has given my family hope for my future. They know that I will now be able to develop my skills through sports and be an independent person.

Although I have not been able to train outdoors over the past year due to the pandemic, I have been keeping fit at home through online workouts. I am looking forward to when I can train again, in cycling as well as other sports. Special Olympics has given me wings to fly!      

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Abhishek Gogoi from Assam, India was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age. He started walking when he was 3 years old and had difficulty controlling his muscles. No matter the curveballs life threw at him, he did not let any of it come in between him and his dream.

1. He lost his father when he was 11
He got a lot of support from his parents and they used to walk him to physiotherapy sessions every day, but he lost his father to cancer and had to move back with his then-pregnant mother to her hometown, Guwahati.

2. He could not afford a bike to train on
His mother worked at a daycare centre and did not earn much. Therefore they could not afford to buy a bike, but this did not break his spirit. Later, he found a solution by borrowing his trainer’s bike to practise on. 

3. Cerebral palsy did not stop him
Abhishek trains every day from 11 am to 3 pm in the gym to help condition his body for the physical demands of competitive cycling. In the evenings, he rides continuously for close to four hours around the city of Guwahati.

4. The phoenix that rose from the ashes
Abhishek had trained a long time for the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.  However, he took a bad fall on the windy, sloping course during one of the races after another cyclist fell in front of him. This did not bring him down. With the help from his coach, Abhishek came back on track for the 10K Road Race and proved his mettle by bagging a silver medal. 

 Life will throw curveballs at you, it will humble you, it will attempt to break you down but the true heroes are the ones who rise above all. 

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Out of the blue, she carried me and smashed my head against a rock. Fortunately, she was stopped by passers-by before any further damage was done. She was arrested and sent to a hospital for people with mental disorders soon after.

I have never met my father and don’t know where he is. I was sent to an orphanage after my mother’s arrest. I understand that she wasn’t herself that day, but I cannot help but resent her. The trauma still haunts me to this day.

When I was a bit older, the orphanage enrolled me in a boarding school for children with intellectual disabilities. I felt abandoned and unwanted. I was angry all the time at everything and everyone. I had trouble adjusting and often rebelled. I struggled to get along with others. I beat up a few of my teachers and left them locked up in rooms. Because of my violent behavior, I was expelled time and again. In four years, I went to four different schools.

The turning point came when I was 14. I was then a student at the Anugraha Special School, Kottakkapuram, in Kerala. It was there that I met Ms Shilaja Chandran, a teacher at the school and a volunteer coach with Special Olympics in India. She was patient with me despite my nasty attitude. I was rude to her like I was to my other teachers in my previous schools. But she never lost her temper at me, or gave up on me.

Ms Shilaja encouraged me to take part in sports. Over the past six years, I have trained in volleyball, handball, and badminton. All these sports are fun, but my favourite is cycling. I feel free and empowered when I’m going fast on my bike. I’ve recently also discovered my love for dance.

I had to drop out of school a few years ago as I couldn’t cope with my studies. I felt sad and sorry for myself then. Sports became my solace. It helped me forget my worries. Whenever I went for training, I felt good about myself.

The biggest prize came when I was chosen to represent India in cycling at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi. It was the first time I had ever been out of the country. I gave it my all and returned with two bronze medals in the 1,000km and 500km races.

I came back to Kerala a hero. I have met so many different people since my return from the Games, congratulating me and telling me that I did well. The feeling has been unbelievable.

I even met officials from the local government at a reception held to recognize my achievements. The government has awarded me prize money that will help me fulfil my dream of continuing my education. I understand that Special Olympics is also working with the District Medical Office to certify that I’m fit for employment so that I can get a job after I graduate and be independent.

Although I have lost my biological family, I found peace through my relationship with Ms Shilaja and Ms Nailamma, who is in charge of the orphanage. Ms Nailamma loves me like a daughter. She teaches me right from wrong and encourages me to do better in life. At the orphanage, I have learnt to do simple jobs. I volunteer to run errands whenever I can and try to be a big sister to the younger residents.

All my dreams are now coming true, thanks to the love, patience, and acceptance of my friends at the orphanage and at Special Olympics. I turn 21 soon, and I’m ready to take on the world.

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I was told that, as a toddler, my parents had to watch as I missed one developmental milestone after another.

I learnt to walk only when I was 3. My speech was unclear. I had difficulty controlling my muscles.

I found strength in my parents’ love for me. When I was old enough for physiotherapy, they would walk me to my sessions. They insisted that I attend an inclusive school that allowed me to study with other children without disabilities.

My father used to work as a producer and director at a local TV station and was the family’s sole breadwinner. When I was 11, we lost him to cancer, leaving my then-pregnant mother alone to care for the family. After his death, my mother moved back to her hometown, in Guwahati.

In Guwahati, I made new friends and joined Special Olympics Bharat. I started engaging in sports and began training in cricket and shot put. It was there that I developed a keen interest in cycling. There is something just so exhilarating about having the wind in my hair as I pedal towards the distant horizon. I started to find purpose, meaning and friendship.

My mother works at a day-care centre and does not earn very much. Because of our financial challenges, she was unable to buy me a bicycle to train competitively. My coach knew of the difficulties I faced but believed in me regardless. He would lend me his bike during training so that I could condition myself for all my competitions.

In early 2018, I took part in a national cycling championship held in Ranchi, and set the national record for the 10km Individual category. I was overjoyed. That win helped me qualify for the Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held in Abu Dhabi in March 2019, where I will be competing to bring back a gold medal for my country.

Some friends and a “bicycle mayor” from a non-profit organization, BYCS, heard about my win and helped set up a crowdfunding campaign so that I could afford my own bicycle. Thanks to the outpouring of kindness from strangers, I now have my own bike that I have been using to train for the upcoming World Games.

I have been working towards this dream by following a strict training regiment. Every day, from 11am to 3pm, I head to the gym to help condition my body for the physical demands of competitive cycling. In the evenings, I ride continuously for close to four hours around the city of Guwahati.

Despite the exhausting schedule, I continue to push myself to new limits with each session. I know that every bit of effort I spend in training is a step closer to helping me achieve my dreams of bringing home a gold medal for India during the World Games.

Outside of training, I also enjoy cooking, helping my mum with the housework, graphic design and video editing. One day, I hope to continue my father’s legacy as a content producer, working in the film industry in a big city.

My involvement with Special Olympics has truly opened new doors in my life. With sports, I have become more active and positive. I now understand the sense of achievement that comes with surpassing my own limits, the power of determination and the elation of winning a competition. If not for the movement, my life journey would have started and ended only in my own home.

My name is Abhishek Gogoi. I am 18 this year, and I am ready to conquer the world.

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I was born a healthy baby, and my early developments were considered normal. However, as I grew older, my parents found it increasingly difficult to deal with my eccentric behaviors. Before the age of eight, I was nonverbal, and I did not respond when called. I often kept my toy cars at eye level on a table, turning the wheels repeatedly and becoming very distressed if the wheels ever got stuck.   

In the regular school I attended then, I always wanted to sit alone and would avoid eye contact with everyone. During breaks, I would hide in class and play with my imaginary friends. My classmates could never understand my behavior. They called me names and labelled me “mad” and “retarded”. Although my teachers were very supportive, I struggled every day as I was unable to communicate and fit in with the rest of the children. I started having more meltdowns.

It took a while for my parents to accept the fact that I had created my own world within their world, and that they were no longer a part of it.

At the age of 12, my family had the chance to visit the United Kingdom and see a doctor there. I was clinically diagnosed with autism, a condition that affects my ability to communicate, reason, and interact with others. When we returned to Pakistan, my mother enrolled me in a special school where I was introduced to Special Olypmics Pakistan.

Under the guidance of a Special Olympics coach in Pakistan, I was introduced to the world of sports. Special Olympics Pakistan accepted me the way I was and gave me a voice to speak for myself. During my first event, our sports director trusted me with a microphone to introduce myself to my fellow athletes. After that day, I looked forward to every chance I had to hold a microphone and speak my mind in my own words. Special Olympics not only equipped me with the ability to compete as an athlete, but also gave me the confidence to share my joy and feelings with everyone.

In 2013, I was selected to compete in the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Games held in Australia. Before I left, my father was diagnosed with cancer, and had to remove his vocal chords. He could no longer speak, and that made him very depressed. To cheer him up, I promised to do my best for the Games. I am proud of myself for keeping to my promise and he was very proud of the two gold medals I won on the track.

After my victory on the track, I decided to pick up road cycling. When I first started cycling, I could not even sustain half a kilometer on the bike. When training gets tough, my cycling companions will always encourage me by reminding me to “keep on peddling, keep on peddling!” My goals are bigger now — I train regularly with the help of professional coaches and can even cover 30km within an hour. Cycling offers me a magical combination of independence, individual challenge, and social contact.

More importantly, my achievements in sports gave my parents a sense of accomplishment, proving to them that I can succeed in anything I put my mind to, if they give me the support I need.

Their support has enabled me to make it, when I was 17, to the TEDx stage, where I shared my story with the world. I also recently published a book chronicling stories of people with intellectual disabilities, and I have been visiting schools across Pakistan to share these stories. Most recently, I was lucky to be one of 10 Special Olympics athletes to be selected as an International Global Messenger for the movement, to spread the message and vision of inclusion around the world.

I was a step closer to my dream of entering University, but due to my disability, I was not able to sit for Government Board examinations or be eligible for a Government job as stated by the policies in my country. I didn’t want to give up. With the support of my family and friends, I sat for the board exams as a private candidate. I passed my exams and went on to get a diploma in special education, which allowed me to apply for a place in University.

Now, I have completed my diploma and got into the Allama Iqbal University where I am studying for my Bachelors Degree in Geology. I’m fortunate to grow up in an accepting environment, surrounded by people who love me unconditionally. But many out there are not as lucky as I am. For many of us, the biggest barrier in our life is not our disabilities, but the social stigma that society presents. Cultural norms are the hindrances to an inclusive society. Many families of children with intellectual disabilities often believe that they have been cursed and punished. Thus, instead of sending us to special education schools, they keep us away from the world.

People sympathise with us but are unwilling to accept us as members of the same society.

If you meet any person with intellectual disabilities, don’t pity us, but be accepting and understanding. Like all individuals, we aspire to lead a life with respect and dignity, and to be entitled to a broad range of life activities, including quality education, inclusive schooling systems, accessible spaces and the right to employment. Help us become part of your world so we can speak up and realize our dreams — so that we can thrive, and not just survive.

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