How the Special Olympics Began

<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW100665993 BCX4"> <p><span data-contrast="none">This June, the</span> <a href= "https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2023/06/photos-2023-special-olympics-world-games/674483/"> <span data-contrast="none">2023 Special Olympics World Games were held in Berlin, Germany</span></a><span data-contrast="none">. Some 7,000 athletes from 170 countries took part in the annual celebration of people with disabilities, people often dehumanized and marginalized. </span><span data-ccp-props= "{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":0,"335559740":480}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="none">The Special Olympics were founded by</span> <a href= "https://www.specialolympics.org/about/history/the-beginning-of-a-worldwide-movement#:~:text=It%20all%20began%20in%20the,She%20decided%20to%20take%20action."> <span data-contrast="none">Eunice Kennedy Shriver</span></a><span data-contrast="none">, sister of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. She was inspired by her sister</span> <a href= "https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/the-kennedy-family/rosemary-kennedy"> <span data-contrast="none">Rosemary</span></a><span data-contrast= "none">, who lived with intellectual disabilities her entire life. Shriver started the first special Olympics in 1962 as a summer camp in her backyard. The competition grew, and her efforts earned her admiration and the honor of the</span> <a href= "https://www.specialolympics.org/eunice-kennedy-shriver/media-library/awards"> <span data-contrast="none">Presidential Medal of Freedom</span></a><span data-contrast= "none">. </span><span data-ccp-props= "{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":720,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":480}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="none">Some years ago,</span> <a href= "https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/opinion/31douthat.html"><em><span data-contrast="none"> New York Times</span></em> <span data-contrast="none">opinion writer Ross Douthat</span></a> <span