A Partnership in Inspiration
In 1988, 20 years after Special Olympics hosted their first international games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially recognized the organization, firmly cementing their relationship. This agreement granted Special Olympics full responsibility to conduct training and competitions for people with intellectual disabilities in agreement with the highest standards of the international Olympic movement. These organizations inspire each other and everyone connected to do more for the world.
Since its founding, the Olympics has been one of the first movements to utilize sports for social change. The first Modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 as an homage to the ancient Olympics held in Greece centuries before. At the time, nothing similar had been conducted. At those first Games in Greece, 14 countries competed. Since then, 206 nations have had the opportunity to send athletes to compete on the world stage.
Special Olympics was inspired by not only the Olympic name, but by the spirit of change this sports organization sought to create. Much like how the legacy of Olympics founder Pierre de Coubertin lives on in the Games he created, the vision of Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver is infused in each World Games. It is her spirit which drives the movement onward.
Just as de Coubertin used his champions to show the world what people were capable of, so did Mrs. Shriver, with her athletes. Focusing on themes of acceptance, inclusion, love, happiness, growth, courage, empowerment, and ability, her athletes helped show the world a different side of sports. Every day, millions of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities exemplify those traits, competing year-round to conquer discrimination with a dream of competing on the world stage.
The reach of Special Olympics’ World Games has grown exponentially. In 1968, at the first international Games, only two countries competed: USA and Canada. A little more than 50 years later, there will be 195 nations and delegations attending the the upcoming 2019 Special Olympics World Games.
Pierre de Coubertin famously said, “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.” Every Special Olympics event starts by the saying of the athlete oath, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” Just as de Coubertin’s words exemplify the Olympics spirit, for many, the Special Olympics athlete oath solidifies the accomplishment of athletes simply by being there and facing down the stigma that society has cast upon them based on their disability.
Next month at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, the Olympic spirit which inspired their movement will be on full display in the athletes competing. Through them, fans all over the world will have the chance to be awed by their athleticism, empowered to include, and motivated to take action by the stories of the athletes competing.
