What is Special Olympics? | Who introduced it & Why it was founded? | Brain Corner

For millions of people around the world, the Olympic Games are an exciting event and greatly anticipated. Whether it is winter or summer, the world becomes united every two years in their enthusiasm and admiration for the world's greatest athletes. We remember the names of many of them even those whose achievements occured half a century ago: Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals for the United States at the Berlin Olympics in 1936; the "Flying Dutch Woman" Fanny Blankers-Koen who, as a 30-year-old mother of two, won four gold medals at the London Olympics in 1948. There is Richard Fosbury, who invented a new way to do the high jump, by running over the bar head first at the 1968 Olympic Games. His "Fosbury Flop" soon bacame the conventional method of cleaning the bar. Gaetan Boucher, Brain Orser, Marnie McBean, Mark Tewksbury and Cindy Klassen are just a few of Canada's medal winners in recent years and their names are familiar.

But here are some names of Olympians you may not have heard of three-times medal-winner: Tahir Ahmed from Pakistan, Latisha Ferguson from Bahamas and Amita Shrestha from Nepal. They all participated in the special Olympics.

"Special Olympics"

The Special Olypics is an international organisation that helps people with intellectual disabilities become physically fit and compete at the elite in an international forum. It was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a sister of former American President John F. Kennedy. The first event was held in Chicago, Illinois that year. In addition to the Special Olympics World Summer and Winter Games which alternate every two years, the Special Olympics provides atheletic training for more than 2.25 million children in over 150 countries. Athletes must be atleast eight years old to participate and be identified by an agency or professional as having intellectual disabilites, cognitive delays or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay.

Children and adults who participate in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. They grow mentally, socially and spiritually. They also enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover not only new abilities and talents but also "their voice".

The Special Olympic Games are usually held after the Olympic Games. Next time you have finished cheering on the great olympic athletes of the summer or winter Olympians, make an effort to find the channel that broadcasts the Special Olympic World Games and keep on cheering!

The Special Olympics Athlete Oath:

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

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