Special Olympics Founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Dame Eunice Mary Kennedy Shriver, DSG (July 10, 1921 – August 11, 2009) was a member of the Kennedy family; she was the sister of President John F. Kennedy and senators Robert F. Kennedy and Ted Kennedy. Her husband, Sargent Shriver, was the United States Ambassador to France during the Lyndon Johnson presidency.
In 1962, Shriver founded Camp Shriver, which started on her Maryland farm known as Timberlawn, and evolved into Special Olympics in 1968.
To prepare for a day at the first Camp Shriver, athletes stretch on the lawn at Eunice Kennedy Shriver's home in Rockville, MD.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver was a pioneer in the global struggle for rights and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities. Eunice Kennedy Shriver believed in justice. But she saw little justice in the way people with intellectual disabilities were treated in the 1950s and 1960s -- and she decided to make a difference. Her revolutionary vision and programs changed the world.
A longtime advocate for children's health and disability issues, Shriver was a key founder of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), a part of the National Institutes of Health in 1962. She has also helped to establish numerous other university programs, government initiatives, health-care facilities, and support service networks throughout the country. In 1961, she championed the creation of the President's Panel on Mental Retardation which was significant in the movement from institutionalization to community integration in the US and throughout the world, a major public policy challenge. In 1982, Shriver founded the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Center for Community of Caring at University of Utah, Salt Lake City. The Community is a "grades K-12, whole school, comprehensive character education program with a focus on disabilities... adopted by almost 1,200 schools nationwide and in Canada.
She was awarded the nation's highest civilian award, the (U.S.) Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 1984 by U.S. President Ronald Reagan, because of her work on behalf of those with intellectual disability. In 1990 Shriver was awarded the Eagle Award from the United States Sports Academy. The Eagle Award is the Academy's highest international honor and was awarded to Shriver for her significant contributions to international sport.
In 1992, Shriver received the Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged, an award given out annually by Jefferson Awards.
For her work in nationalizing the Special Olympics, Shriver received the Civitan International World Citizenship Award. Her advocacy on this issue has also earned her other awards and recognitions, including honorary degrees from numerous universities. She is the second American and only woman to appear on a US coin while still living. Her portrait is on the obverse of the 1995 commemorative silver dollar honoring the Special Olympics. On the reverse is the quotation, "As we hope for the best in them, hope is reborn in us."
Shriver received the 2002 Theodore Roosevelt Award (the Teddy), an annual award given by the National Collegiate Athletic Association to a graduate from an NCAA member institution who earned a varsity letter in college for participation in intercollegiate athletics, and who ultimately became a distinguished citizen of national reputation based on outstanding life accomplishment. In addition to the Teddy recognition, she was selected in 2006 as part of the NCAA Centennial celebration as one of the 100 most-influential individuals in its first century; she was listed ninth.
In 2006, she received a papal knighthood from Pope Benedict XVI, being made a Dame of the Order of St. Gregory the Great (DSG). Her mother had been created a papal countess in 1950 by Pope Pius XII.
In 2008, the U.S. Congress changed the NICHD's name to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. In December 2008, Sports Illustrated named Shriver the first recipient of Sportsman of the Year Legacy Award. On May 9, 2009, the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in Washington, D.C., unveiled an historic portrait of her, the first portrait the NPG has ever commissioned of an individual who had not served as a U.S. President or First Lady. The portrait depicts her with four Special Olympics athletes (including Loretta Claiborne) and one Best Buddies participant. It was painted by David Lenz, the winner of the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition in 2006. As part of the Portrait Competition prize, the NPG commissioned a work from the winning artist to depict a living subject for the collection. Lenz, whose son, Sam, has Down syndrome and is an enthusiastic Special Olympics athlete, was inspired by Shriver's dedication to working with people with intellectual disabilities.
Shriver became involved with Dorothy Hamill's special skating program in the Special Olympics after Hamill's Olympic Games ice-skating win. In September 2010, the State University of New York at Brockport, home of the 1979 Special Olympics, renamed its football stadium after Shriver.
In July 2017, Shriver posthumously received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2017 ESPY Awards. [1.]
One Woman's Vision
Eunice Kennedy Shriver saw people with intellectual disabilities were excluded and routinely placed in custodial institutions. They were often ignored and neglected, yet she knew they had many talents and gifts to offer.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver had a sister, Rosemary, who had an intellectual disability. She and Rosemary grew up playing sports together and with their family. The sisters swam, they sailed, they skiied, they played football together. But in those days, there were limited programs and options for someone like Rosemary.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver went on to become an athlete in college. She began to see that sports could be a common ground to unite people from all walks of life.
Our Athletes
Athletes are the heart of Special Olympics. Our athletes are children and adults with intellectual disabilities from all around the world. They are finding success, joy and friendship as part of our global community. They're also having lots of fun!
Intellectual disabilities happen in all cultures, races and countries. The goal of Special Olympics is to reach out to the almost 200 million people in the world with ID. Through sports, our athletes are seeing themselves for their abilities, not disabilities. Their world is opened with acceptance and understanding.They become confident and empowered by their accomplishments. They are also making new friends, as part of the most inclusive community on the planet -- a global community that is growing every day. Our 4.9 million Special Olympics athletes – ages 8 years old and up -- come from 172 countries. We also have a Young Athletes program for children ages 2 to 7.
If you or someone you know would like to become a Special Olympics athlete, get in touch with a Special Olympics office near you.
Our Volunteers
Our volunteers believe that sports has the power to create joy and unity in society. They know this because they've seen it happen again and again. They are coaches and trainers, officials, event organizers, fundraisers and managers. They are also Unified teammates -- playing alongside athletes with intellectual disabilities -- or fans cheering in the stands. Learn how you can volunteer.
Our Coaches
Special Olympics coaches are role models and character builders. They teach the skills and spirit that define a true athlete. Every day and in every way, they help empower our athletes through quality sports training and competitions. Our coaches inspire our athletes; in turn, they are inspired as they witness the transformative power of sports.
Our Families
Families give our athletes the kind of love, support and encouragement that no one else can. Special Olympics is a support network that brings families together in a caring, positive way. Our growing family support network is also a successful force for acceptance and inclusion in communities all around the world.
Special Olympics Australia
Today, Special Olympics supports over 5 million athletes in 177 countries.
Local impact
Special Olympics began in Australia in 1976 in local communities in Melbourne Inner East (VIC), Kempsey (NSW), Gold Coast (QLD) and Launceston (TAS). By helping Special Olympics Australia give opportunities to play sport, we can open the door to personal achievement, pride and inclusion for some of the marginalised and isolated members of our community.
With around 668, 000 Australians living with an intellectual disability, and another person diagnosed every two hours, and only 3,000 athletes participating with Special Olympics Australia, your support to increase the reach and spread the joy of sport and community is needed.
Olympic connection
Like the Olympics and Paralympics, Special Olympics believe in the power of sport to create a better world. Each organisation has a slightly different focus and very different levels of awareness and funding.
The Olympics is an iconic and well supported major sporting event for elite athletes.
The Paralympics is a major sporting event for elite athletes, mainly with a physical disability with awareness and funding on the rise.
Special Olympics is a year-round multi-sports program for people with an intellectual disability – of all capabilities – who also have access to robust competition pathways including our World Games which is hosted on a four-year cycle in summer and winter sports. We still haven’t had our time to shine in awareness and funding.
Special Olympics is the only organisation authorised by the International Olympic Committee to use the word "Olympics". This authorisation is enshrined in a Protocol of Agreement signed in 1988.
What is intellectual disability?
Generally speaking, people with an intellectual disability find it hard to do what are considered basic tasks, like reading, handling money or catching public transport. It doesn't mean that they can’t learn to do these things, they just may learn differently or need more time and support to succeed.
Young athlete Brittney Neill (VIC) who has autism sums up what having an intellectual disability means to her: “I concentrate on what I can do and not what people think I can’t. Really, I can do everything anyone else can do. It just takes me longer to learn and process information. I just know I have to keep trying, so that’s what I do to achieve my dreams. When I’m running I think a tiger is after me and I say in my head: ‘Go, go, go, go’.”
Unlike those with a physical disability, it is not always obvious when a person has an intellectual disability. What is obvious at Special Olympics Australia is that many have hidden talents that sport can help them uncover.
Special Olympics World Games 2019
The Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE from 8-21 March 2019, with 7,000 athletes with an intellectual disability from 170 nations competing across 24 sports in front of half a million spectators.
Australia will be represented by 105 athletes who will compete across 11 sports: Athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, sailing, swimming and tennis. They will be supported by 35 volunteer officials. Find out how you can support the team HERE
Meet Team Australia 2019 HERE
Pittwater's Alyse Saxby (Sailability Crystal Bay) is part of Team Australia 2019 and will be sailing her heart out again.
"I'm looking forward to doing Australia proud, meeting new people and catching up with friends from other countries." says Alyse.
Alyse and some of her fellow NSW Athletes at the Light Up Red for Inclusion event where Team Australia was announced - photo © Special Olympics Australia
You can help out by making a donation to Team Australia or an individual athlete, by donating to or sponsoring Special Olympics Australia or treating yourself to a great night out at the annual Signature Dinner;
WHERE AND WHEN
Friday 24 August 2018
Big Top, Luna Park, Sydney
7:00pm till late
Dress: Gentlemen suits & ladies after 5
TICKETS
$2,500 | Table of ten
$250 | Individual ticket
BUY TICKETS
DESCRIPTION
"This is me"
Join us at the 13th annual Special Olympics Australia Signature Dinner (formerly known as the Variety Dinner). Hosted by one of Australia’s most respected music directors, long-term friend and Ambassador Mr John Foreman OAM, we promise you a great night of fun-filled entertainment with outstanding guest performers including, Dami Im, 2016 2nd place in the Eurovision; Iva Davies AM, Icehouse front man; Talent Development Program performers, Australian Actress and Comedian; the Special Olympics Dance Performance Group and many more! In 2018 the theme for the event is 'This is Me' from the hit musical The Greatest Showman.
ENTERTAINMENT
Iva Davies AM, Dami Im, Special Olympics Dance Performance Group, Rhonda Burchmore, Grace Knight, Talent Development Project, and many more!
MC
John Foreman AM
Sydney Northern Beaches Club
Providing weekly sports training and regular competition for people with an intellectual disability. Everyone's welcome!
Sydney Northern Beaches
PO Box 737
NARRABEEN NSW 2101
To contact our club please email: sydneynorthernbeaches.secretary@specialolympics.com.au
Webpage: http://www.specialolympics.com.au/index.php/sydneynorthernbeaches
Sports Available
Aquatics
Thursday 7-8pm
Summer-Pittwater House School Dee Why
Winter-Warringah Acquatic Centre Allambie Heights NSW 2100
Basketball
Sunday 4.30-6pm
Sydney Academy of Sport
Wakehurst Parkway
Narrabeen
Bocce
Sunday 10am
Narrabeen RSL Club Bowling Green
Nareen Park Parade
North Narrabeen
Golf
Wednesday 4.30pm
Spring-Summer-Autumn
Long Reef Golf Club
Anzac Avenue
Collaroy
Winter
Warringah Driving Range
1500 Pittwater Road
Narrabeen
Gymnastics
Thursday 4.30-6.30pm
Cromer Community Centre
South Creek Road
Cromer
Tenpin Bowling
Saturday 8.30pm
Dee Why RSL Zone Bowling
932 Pittwater Road
Dee Why
Young Athletes
Friday 4.30-5.30pm
Sydney Academy of Sport
Wakehurst Parkway
Narrabeen
Athlete Oath
Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.
Coach Oath
In the name of all the coaches and in the spirit of sportsmanship, I promise that we will act professionally, respect others, and ensure a positive experience for all. I promise to provide quality sports and training opportunities in a safe environment for all athletes.
We're all looking forward to the year long celebrations of Special Olympics and the next 50 years of