Laserfiche WebLink
~ <br /> <br /> ~a SPECIAL OLYMPICS <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> Twenty-eight years ago, the first Special Olympics competition took place at <br /> Soldier Field in Chicago. But before that, in the early 1960's, the concept of <br /> sports training for people with mental retardation was explored by Eunice <br /> Kennedy Shriver at a day camp on her estate. She believed that persons with <br /> mental retardation were more capable in sports and physical activities than <br /> many experts believed, and that IQ could be raised-and slie was right! <br /> Today, Special Olympic sports training and competition for children and <br /> adults exist in each state of the United States, and in more than 130 countries <br /> worldwide. More than one million athletes with mental retardation participate <br /> in 22 sports. Nearly one million volunteers support the program. <br /> STRUCTURE <br /> Special Olympics International (SOI) is the international governing body of <br /> Special Olympics. In the United States, each state program is the responsibility <br /> of the board of directors and the executive director. Area programs are run by <br /> an area director with the assistance of area committees. Athletes training and <br /> competing initially enter the program in the island or city where they live. All <br /> Special Olympics programs are free to the athletes. <br /> SPECIAL OLYMPICS GOAL <br /> To help bring all persons with mental retardation into the larger society <br /> under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected, and given a chance to <br /> become productive citizens. <br /> ,i?~'. <br /> ( <br /> N. <br /> ty. <br /> w <br /> .N. i 4 n... Fr."i <br /> ,r= . ~ <br /> I a .,.r_,v; <br /> I~i a41 <br /> t` <br /> {}Y' I <br /> Actor Pal Morita filmed a public service announammt with athletes for a First Hawaiian Bank Winfer Classic promotion. <br /> <br />