CHENNAI: Hours of difficult paintings and years of training paid off for the 21 stars who arrived at Chennai airport from Abu Dhabi on Saturday. It is not the medals but the experience of belonging that they have — being with a decided organization of sportspersons at the Special Olympics 2019, held from March 14 to 21 — that made their day. “Gokul Srinivasan is a tough competitor. After growing interest in swimming, he commenced displaying fewer signs and symptoms of fatigue than regularly.
With two hundred in line with cent determination, he worked tough to clinch gold in 1,500 meters and silver in 800 meters,” says Gokul’s brother Abhishek, who became instrumental in his 15-12 months-old siblings’ achievements. Gokul has autism spectrum disease. After three tries over 12 years, Arti Krishnamoorthy made it to the Indian contingent and gained bronze in swimming. Although his son Chitharthan made it to the Olympics, Thirumalai from Madurai criticizes the country’s government for having made little to no attempt to get hold of and realize the athletes. “Not many represent India inside the cycling occasion.
While Dinesh won bronze in the 5 km street race, my son placed fourth. Language is a barrier for those athletes, who are divided into organizations based on their capabilities. As they are now not fluent in Hindi, they grow to be in excessive-degree classes,” he says. “Special abilities in Tamil Nadu have become invisible in the government’s eyes. Unlike the Himachal Pradesh and Haryana governments, the national government no longer supports special athletes.
When athletes expressed interest in satisfying the Madurai collector before leaving for the games, his assistant avoided the request, pronouncing that he (collector) became too busy for pics,” he says. The Madurai collector was unavailable to remark. Divya Bharathi, a 22-12 months-vintage with an intellectual incapacity, was considered one of six athletes from Bethshan Special School, Madurai, representing India in badminton. “Gold medal (singles), silver medal (doubles) I was given. Very, very satisfied (sic),” she says, joining her fellow athletes for an image.
Behind each, a hit Olympic champion is another champion, believes VK Power Palani, a countrywide gold medallist in powerlifting from Chennai. “Twenty-three-year-vintage VS Abhishek, who has a learning incapacity, allowed me to be a unique instructor and constitute India at Abu Dhabi. He says that India has gained the most medals in powerlifting, and Abishek has made a large contribution by bagging four silver medals,” he says. Paul Devasagayam, the Special Olympics Bharath area director, is behind the display screen of every athlete’s achievement tale. From constructing self-assurance to enhancing their Activity of Daily Living (ADL), Paul’s contribution to their increase is mammoth.
Calling the attention of the authorities, he says, “Special athletes triumph over many hurdles to get to the Olympics. Though they had been dealt with like kings and queens in Abu Dhabi, it is unhappy that no sports authority or PwD officer acquired them. The state authorities need to acknowledge their efforts.” Proud of his self-stimulated athletes and pupils, basketball coach Vinodh from Puducherry says, “Jagadeshwari (unified football) and Karthik Raja (unified basketball) gave their satisfaction. Their willpower and difficult paintings inspire me to teach more unique athletes.”
