Shiva’s Olympic Training Fund

Cause: Help Shiva continue representing India at the Olympics

Shiva's story:
Shiva Keshavan: A five-time Olympian, multiple Asian Champion, and the highest-ranked Indian winter sports athlete does not have the necessary funds to represent his country. This year, despite months and months of intense training, he was forced to withdraw from the Luge World Championships in Germany due to lack of funding. Unfortunately, there is no consistent support for winter sports from the Indian government, despite the thousands of talented athletes in the Himalayas.

Shiva was born in the upper Kullu Valley, and has been sliding since childhood. He and his friends would make their own sleds and skis using wood, metal, and plastic scraps. Shiva was deeply inspired by his love for the mountains, and by the movie ‘Cool Runnings’, an inspiring story about a Jamaican Bobsled team facing adversity.

Despite lack of funding, Shiva’s talent has brought glory and respect to India from all across the globe. He became the youngest person ever to qualify for the Olympic Games in Luge at 16 years of age, and has since continued to make history by qualifying for 5 Olympic Games.   

In 2014, Shiva got the opportunity to travel to the U.S., and trained with their Olympic team. Since then, American Luge legend and the former Technical Director of the United States Luge Team, Duncan Kennedy, has been working with Shiva to even the playing field by giving him access to expert advice, and competitive equipment. Kennedy believes that Shiva has the passion, talent, and experience to do great things.

Shiva is determined to compete in the 2018 and 2022 Olympic Games, and to bring home a medal for India. To do so however, he will need access to adequate training facilities, top-of-the-line equipment, and funding  to participate in international competitions. These funds will sustain his training and allow him to compete for the next one year.

Shiva’s efforts embody the Olympic spirit, and have won him admiration from around the world. He is an inspiring representation of India’s spirit, and is a true example of the rich diversity that characterizes the country. Shiva needs our support so that he can continue to represent India in luge competitions around the world. Donate now to help this incredibly talented athlete reach his full potential.