10 interesting facts about the Special Olympics

Special Olympics is a definitive event for people with intellectual disabilities to foster their sporting abilities. This sports initiative takes place once every two years. There are several interesting fact features that can be highlighted here.

This largest sports competition for such people was held in Los Angeles from July 25 to August 2, 2015, California (the largest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympics). The games were the brainchild of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of former US President John F. Kennedy and mother of journalist and activist Maria Shriver. Seeing the physical capabilities of her sister Rosemary, who is differently abled, Eunice saw sports as a common platform to bring people from all walks of life together. She had a vision to create a space where people with intellectual disabilities could participate and compete giving them the opportunity to showcase their talents.

The first Special Olympics were held in Chicago, Illinois, in June 1968. More than 1,000 athletes participated in swimming and track events. Now, almost half a century later, it has literally transcended into a movement that transforms and empowers lives.

Here are 10 interesting points related to this sports initiative:-

1. Olympics and Special Olympics
   Special Olympics is the only organization in the world that has been authorized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to use the word “Olympics” in its name worldwide.
2. The games
   Athletes participating in the games compete in 32 disciplines including judo, snowboarding, soccer, cricket, and others.
3. Keeping them healthy and fit
   Healthy Athletes is their program that offers more than 1.4 million free health checks to athletes from 180 countries during competition. Health professionals, specially trained to control athletes with intellectual disabilities, perform exhaustive examinations in multiple categories such as physiotherapy, podiatry, vision, audiology, dentistry and others.
4. global reach
   More than three million athletes from 180 countries participated and almost 3.1 million differently abled athletes from all affiliated countries participated so far.
5. team spirit
   Participation in a team sport has been shown to create a sense of camaraderie among athletes. Bring a team spirit among the athletes as they play as a team. Forge team spirit among the participants.
6. famous followers
   Over the years, a number of celebrity supporters have endorsed and encouraged initiatives focused on people with disabilities, including multiple Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps, basketball sensation Damian Lillard, actor Brooklyn Decker, and others. Celebrities represent and spread the message of organizations by hosting events. They help raise awareness of the needs of such mills.
7. athletic progress
   The athletes participating in the games are divided according to age, gender and abilities.
8. words for inspiration
   The phrase of the oath for athletes in the Special Olympics is: “Let me win. But if I can’t win, let me be brave in trying.”
9. competition time
   This World Game takes place every two years. The games alternate between winter and summer.
10. Involved
    Both the organizers and the IOC invite the general public to volunteer at this great sporting event. More than 7,00,000 volunteers have registered so far.