Special Olympics History

The modern Olympic movement has been shaped by many differentiating factors over the years. It has been altered by social, political, and economic factors. More specifically, warring times, changes to social structures, and economic activity that varies by country have been the overall leading factors that have shaped the Olympics over the years.

Together they helped bring attention to people with intellectual disabilities and more scientists began doing research and more doctors were trained to work with them. 1962 is when Camp Shriver began and spread across the country, eventually evolving into the Special Olympics.

Being at a sporting event and hearing the cheer of the crowd or the sound of a ball hitting the net is exciting on its own, but a woman named Eunice Kennedy Shriver made you feel even excited about it. Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded a nonprofit organization helping children and adults with below average intelligence and set of life skills recognize their full potential through sports in 1968. This organization is called the Special Olympics. They make every effort to use their money as efficiently as possible. “More than 80 percent of our expenditures go to supporting program activities – including supporting local training and competition...,” (Donor FAQs.) The Special Olympics is a very helpful organization because it helps those with disabilities identify their capabilities, make friends, and have fun competing in athletic competitions.

The second Level I fieldwork was a very enjoyable experience. Over the span of three months I was able to acquire various amounts of information from the individuals with Raleigh County Special Olympics. I was able to collaborate with the coaches, parents, and athletes to find out what technique worked best for each child with special needs. Upon my arrival, I had no idea how much fun I would have volunteering for Special Olympics basketball skills. Throughout the time I was there, I was able to see different diagnoses previously discussed in class. This experience was very eye-opening and informative. I personally learned a variety of things from the children that will better benefit me out in the field.

Some schools use parts of their funding to allow the disabled children enrolled in special education and EC programs to participate in a program called the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics website claims “Founded in 1971, Special Olympics North Carolina provides services and opportunities to more than 38,000 athletes, supported by nearly 5,000 volunteer coaches, and we host nearly 600 competitions annually (Special Olympics).” The Special Olympics are a set of sports, set up like the regular Olympics, that help create a friendly and equal competition to promote and raise awareness of disabilities in the United States (Special Olympics). Sources have proven that the Special Olympics are a fun, and enjoyable way for disabled children to

The Special Olympics World games is a wonderful experience for those who have an intellectual disability to experience. I think what they’re doing to help those with disabilities, to have fun and enjoy themselves is

For nearly as long as humans have been around, some form of athletic competition has also existed. Dating back to the ancient Romans, people would travel from all around to see their men compete. Since 1894, the International Olympic Committee has organized the worldwide event we know as the modern Olympic Games. The games have for a long time been a center point of many protests, revolving around the current events and arguments of the time. American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos created one of the most iconic and socially important Olympic protests at the 1968 Summer Games, when they raised their fists up while giving the Black Panther salute on the podium. A gesture that has been celebrated, criticized, and discussed to this day.

Hebrews 6:10 states, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” If you consider yourself a catholic or a “good Christian”, it is imperative you understand the importance of helping those in need. For my Praxis project I spent a day with the assistance of the Special Olympics, conducted at the McCann athletic center at Marist College. This day taught me numerous things about people with special needs and also myself.

An olympic medal is a award to the successful competitors at the Olympics. You can receive a Gold which is the best, a sliver which is next best tand runner, and bronze which is third. Metals designed have changed since the first olympic games in 1896. There is much more behind olympic medals than just a award. Many wonder if olympic medals are made out of pure gold?

That was the first experience I had with the Special Olympics and it only made me want to do more. So I worked every year for the Special Olympics that went on in my parish. I also began to look into other things I could do. I found out about a church camp called Centrifuge during the summer. I went to “Fuge on Mission”, which

If we analyze The Olympic Charter which marks the beginning of modern Olympics we will realize that these events originally were based on a philosophy and certain principles. As it is mentioned in fundamental principle 2: Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles. (Girginove et al 2005).

The Special Olympics gives out opportunities to those who are considered different and pushed you the side by reality, but thanks to Sarget and Eunice Kennedy Shiver, they’ve supplied more than enough opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities for 45 years. In the 1990’s, the first international summer games was held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Thousands of people with intellectual disabilities from 26 different states and Canada competed in Track and Field, Swimming and Floor Hockey. This foundation was made because Eunice saw the unjustifying and mistreatment intellectual disabled people were getting. Later in the 1970’s and 1980’s, the amount of respect and admiration for disabled people and the movement of

The Olympics have a rich history, significant purpose, and has evolved over time. The first time the Olympics were around there were 293 of them until finally they got outlawed. They were reinstated in 1896 and there have been 29 summer Olympics since. The Olympics have impacted many people with a total of 322 Games so far. Everything is done with a purpose. The ancient Olympics were dedicated to the gods. Now the Olympics are used to show who is the best of the best. Each country contributes their best athletes to see who will become the best in the world. Finally, many factors have contributed to the evolution of the Olympics. The main one is technology. Television has helped evolve the Olympics the most. Before the television was invented

The big day was July 20, 1968. 1000 athletes marched proudly onto Soldier Field and were ready to face whatever came their way. This was the day of the first ever Special Olympics, which hosted events in only track and field and swimming. “You know, Eunice, the world will never be the same after this,” quoted Chicago mayor Richard Daley while he was observing those first games.

According to the Oxford dictionary, the act of swimming is to ‘propel one’s body through water by using the limbs or other bodily movement’. Using this form to propel through water is now so technical and refined that it is classed as an individual or team sport as well as a recreational activity. One of the most popular sports of the Olympic Games today is swimming - highlighting events in different strokes like the butterfly, backstroke, freestyle and breaststroke. Competition is conducted both in a purpose built swimming pool as well as the open water. Olympic swimming is one of the most watched and oldest events, competitors from all over the world come together at a hosted city to race. They