By the Grace of God and the blessings and support of the Chinmaya Family, Amrita Ramjas has returned from the 2007 Special Olympics World Games with one gold medal and three silver medals for her performances in gymnastics. Amrita competed in Level One of the Women’s Artistic Gymnastic competition, which included routines on the beam, uneven bars, vault and floor. She was awarded three silver medals for her performances on individual apparatus and the overall GOLD medal in her level.

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Amrita was one of 125 Australian athletes who were selected to represent their country at the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai, China between 2 and 11 October 2007. This was the twelfth international level Special Olympics Games. Over seven thousand athletes from 169 countries, together with their coaches and family supporters attended the games on this occasion, assisted by 40,000 English-speaking Chinese volunteers. The Games included spectacular opening and closing ceremonies, and were opened by the President of China.

Amrita received the personal blessings of Swami Swaroopanandaji, Bramacharini Sujataji and Bramachari Gopalji prior to her departure. Swamiji encouraged her to be brave and try her best, and reassured her that she would do well. This made it easy for Amrita to focus on her performance while in China, especially since the Games’ motto was ‘I know I can!’.

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Hopefully, Amrita’s performance can inspire other members of Chinmaya Mission around the world to strive for excellence and to follow the Special Olympics Athlete’s Oath: ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt’.

Amrita was very inspired by the warm messages of love and support which she received from members of the Chinmaya Mission family and other friends, during the Games.

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Thank you to everyone!