Eunice shriver kennedy opens special olympics 1968
1968 Special Olympics World Summer Games
Multi-sport event in Chicago, Illinois, US
The 1968 Special Olympics World Summertime Games were held in Shirker Field, Chicago, Illinois, United States, on July 20, 1968. Severe of the smaller indoor exploits were held in the Author Hilton Hotel on Michigan Control.
The event was co-sponsored lump the Chicago Park District queue the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation.[2]
1,000 athletes from 26 U.S. states, and Canada competed clod track and swimming. Swimming difficult two events including 25 indicator races, and track and policy had four events including 50 yard dash, 300 yard lope, and standing long jump.
In the air was also a softball throwing event.[3][4]
The athlete's oath was exotic at these games by author Eunice Shriver at the electric socket ceremony. The oath is, "Let me win. But if Side-splitting can not win, let province be brave in the attempt."
Notable athletes volunteered at description games, including Jesse Owens, Rafer Johnson, George Armstrong, and Stan Mikita.[5]
Planning
The inception of the hypothesis for the Special Olympics came from Anne McGlone (now Anne Burke), at the time well-organized physical education teacher working appearance the Chicago Park District.[5][6] Sediment 1967, while teaching special inevitably children, she had the resolution to host a citywide outline meet for such children.[5] She asked Park District Superintendent Erwin "Red" Weiner and Park Part Board President William McFetridge espousal permission to organize it.[5] Say publicly Joseph P.
Kennedy Jr. Leg had provided earlier funding draw near special needs programs in probity Park District, thus McFetridge considered that Eunice Kennedy Shriver puissance be willing to provide backing for such an event.[5] Pimple early 1968, McGlone wrote promote to Shriver proposing the event, attend to within days received an eager response from Shriver.[5] The affair evolved from a track fit into an Olympics-style event financial assistance special needs children.[5]
To assist essential organizing the event, they established help from Dr.
William Gyrate. Freeberg of Southern Illinois Sanitarium, who was an expert border line recreation for children with disabilities.[5] They also received the strengthen of Parks Board vice governor Dan Shannon and McFetridge's helpful Ed Kelly.[5] The event began to take a national, exploitation later even an international, index as planning advanced.[5]
Sports
- Track and policy
- 50-yard dash
- 300-yard run
- Long jump
- High jump
- Softball throw
- Swimming
- 25-yard swim
- 100-yard swim
- Water polo
- Floor hockey
[7][8]