Special Olympics

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Special Olympics

The first International Special Olympics was held in Chicago's Soldier Park in July of 1968. Before this event, there was no opportunity for mentally disabled children and adults to compete in sporting events. With the help of the Kennedy Foundation, mentally disabled citizens have been given the chance to take part in the kinds of sporting events unavailable to them before the advent of the competition. Under the leadership of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and with the efforts of thousands of volunteers, mentally disabled children and adults now compete locally, regionally, and internationally in games based on the Greek Olympics.

Traditionally, mentally disabled children did not receive many opportunities to take part in physical activities because popular theory held that they did not need physical activity. As a result, these children were never given the chance to excel in sports or physical activity, and many mentally disabled children were doomed to accept a lifestyle without exercise. As early as 1963, however, a movement was underfoot to change these perceptions. The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation, in conjunction with the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, began work in providing a physical fitness program for the mentally disabled. In addition, President John Kennedy established the President's Council for Physical Fitness and Sports, and by 1967, after considerable study by different organizations, research indicated that lack of opportunity, not lack of ability, was the major reason for the low physical ability of mentally disabled children.

In 1967, members of the Chicago Park District decided to organize a track and field meet for mentally disabled children based on the Greek Olympics. When letters were sent to the individual states inviting them to join, they received mixed responses. Reasons for not participating included a lack of support or a lack of interest based on the premise that promoting physical activity among the mentally disabled would be a waste of time and effort. These and other reasons kept nearly half the states from participating in the first Special Olympics. Unwilling to give in to negative feedback, several states and Canada pressed on to hold the event. The Kennedy Foundation donated $20,000, and the games were to be held at Soldier Field as planned.

At a press conference shortly after the success of the first International Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver reiterated the mission of the Special Olympics—to provide all mentally disabled children a chance to participate in athletic events—and pledged $75,000 in monetary support on behalf of the Kennedy Foundation to build the Special Olympics program. This support allowed communities across the United States to take part in the Special Olympics originally planned to be held every two years. Because the response to the first Special Olympics was so positive, Senator Edward Kennedy announced the formation of Special Olympics, Inc., and named Eunice Kennedy Shriver its president. The new foundation's purpose was to provide the means for all mentally disabled citizens to have access to a physical fitness program like the Special Olympics.

The games are modelled after modern-day Olympic competition. They are divided into winter and summer games with both team and individual competitions. Held every two years, they alternate summer and winter games with the same schedule as the modern Olympics. Anyone eight and above, with an IQ of 75 and below, is eligible to compete free of charge. Ranging in age from eight to seventeen years-old, 1,000 children from 26 states and Canada competed in the first International Special Olympics in 1968. By 1970, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada had Special Olympics organizations and state directors. In 1975, the event had grown to 3,200 participants. In planning for the 1999 Special Olympics, organizers estimated that 7,000 athletes from 150 countries will participate, generating a need for 35,000 volunteers to organize 19 sports.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the Special Olympics came under intense scrutiny by mental health professionals who questioned the games and their benefit. Critics cite such reservations as the value of segregating the mentally retarded from mainstream athletic events and the theory that the games are becoming overly competitive. In response to criticism, Special Olympics organizers emphasize the positive physical, mental, and emotional achievements of the athletes. The debate remained a controversial one at the end of the 1990s, with professionals on both sides of the question presenting strong arguments to back up their opinions.

Though still controversial, the International Special Olympics continues to grow and over one million athletes take part in local, area, and chapter competitions each year. The motto of the Special Olympics states, "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." The motto sums up the attitude and accomplishments of both organizers and participants throughout the more than 30 years of the Special Olympics.

—Kimberley H. Kidd

Further Reading:

Haskins, James. A New Kind of Joy: The Story of the Special Olympics. New York, Doubleday, 1976.

Klein, Tovah, et al. "Special Olympics: An Evaluation by Professionals and Parents." Mental Retardation. Vol. 3, No. 1, 1993, 15-23.

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Special Olympics

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