On July 20, 1968, Eunice Kennedy Shriver convened the first Special Olympics Games, making history for those with intellectual and physical disabilities. With little media attention and 1,000 athletes participating, few thought that the Special Olympics would have any impact. Undaunted, Shriver forged ahead. Today, the Special Olympics is bigger than itself, it is a worldwide movement providing opportunities for millions. A movement that overcomes prejudice and shows the world the worth that individuals with disabilities possess.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver at the unveiling of her portrait at the National Portrait Gallery in May of 2009. Shriver would later pass away that August. (Source:National Portrait Gallery)
Timothy Shriver, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Special Olympics, gives opening speech during the Opening Ceremony at the USA Games in Seattle, Washington on July 1, 2018. (Source:marleenvandenneste)
The 2018 Reach Report presents data sourced from the Special Olympics annual census, which surveys the depth and impact of the global Special Olympics movement. (Source:SpecialOlympics.Org)