22 Inclusion - Sports Special Olympics Florida “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” This is the Special Olympics Athlete’s Oath and chills will come over you when you hear the athletes recite this in unison before their events and at their closing ceremonies. Special Olympics is the largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Close to 5 million people with intellectual disability in 170 countries with the support and encouragement of over 1.3 million volunteer and coaches. Since 1968, Special Olympics has provided year-round sports training and competition empowering athletes to d e v e l o p ph y s i c a l f i t n e s s , demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other athletes and the community. Special Olympics Florida offers training in 24 different sports: athletics (track & field), bocce, cycling, tennis, soccer, volleyball, equestrian, swimming, surfing, golf, bowling, gymnastics, powerlifting, softball, flag football, cheerleading, stand up paddle, basketball, alpine skiing, figure skating, roller skating, sailing, speed skating, and open water swim. Make no mistake about it, the participants are true athletes. Everyone trains in their given events with the goal of performing their personal best. While the oath mentions winning, there are no losers on the fields of their competitions. Today’s professional athletes and Olympians seem to view second or third place as a defeat while these champions recognize the completion of the task at hand to be cause for celebration. Special Olympics athletes are the real role models for society today. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy was the founder of Special Olympics. The American version of the Royal Family in the 1960’s had another sister Rosemary who was born with intellectual disabilities. Eunice saw Rosemary’s love of playing sports which became the inspiration for the organization. Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day will be celebrated around the globe on July 20, bringing together people with and without intellectual disabilities in various activities to honor the inspiration, impact and indomitable spirit of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The International Olympics Committee recognizes the Special Olympic Games although their events occur in separate years. Special Olympics does compete in both summer and winter games and the World Games are held every two-years. In March of this year ESPN provided live daily coverage of the games from Austr ia. Celebrities that have supported the games include: Bono, Dikembe Mutombo, Jackie Chan, Vanessa Williams, Colin Farrell and Arnold Schwarzenegger to name a few. Muhammad Ali, who participated as a boxer in 1960, suffered from Parkinson’s disease and his light shined especially bright when he inspired the globe as he lit the Olympic flame in 1996. Ali returned to the Olympic stage in 2012 as a special guest, but when asked about his favorite Olympic moment he said “It would have to be the 2003 Special Olympics Summer Games in Dublin.” Assistant Coaches must take courses teaching them how to interact properly with these special athletes. Coaches do the same but to a much f u r ther ex ten t and have to demonstrate a deep knowledge of the sport in which they are involved. Love and concern drive those involved with Special Olympics and the joy and happiness among the participates can be contagious. Special Olympics Florida invites you to get involved as an athlete, Unified Partner, volunteer, coach, assistant coach, sponsor, donor and fan, helper with sports and fundraising events happening throughout the state year round. To learn more about all the programs and services offered, please visit: www.specialolympicsflorida.org or call 352-243-9536. By Richard Hayward AmeriDisability July/August 2017
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