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The Special Olympics

The Special Olympics. The impact of disabilities in sports, and how it all started. So… What were some things going on in the 60’s?. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 The Creation of the Peace Corps The Kent State Shootings

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The Special Olympics

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  1. The Special Olympics The impact of disabilities in sports, and how it all started.

  2. So… What were some things going on in the 60’s? • The Civil Rights Act of 1964 • The Creation of the Peace Corps • The Kent State Shootings • An increased emphasis on change with movements such as: the Disability Rights Movement, the Second-Wave Feminist Movement, Gay Liberation Movement, and the Anti-War Movement • The Vietnam War • The Assassination of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and JFK

  3. Events Leading to the Creation of the special Olympics

  4. The First Special Olympics Summer Games • Held in Soldier Field in Chicago on July 20th, 1968 • Over 200 events were offered, including: • Broad jump • Softball throw • 25 and 100-yard swim • High jump • 50-yard dash • Water polo

  5. The Progress of the Special Olympics • December 1971- U.S. Olympic Committee gives Special Olympics official approval to use the name “Olympics” • February 1977- First International Olympic Games • June 1981- The Special Olympics has a Law Enforcement Torch Run, which becomes the organization's largest fundraiser, raising $30 million each year • September 1986-The UN launches the International Year of Special Olympics • February 1988- International Olympic Committee signs a agreement that endorses and recognizes the Special Olympics

  6. Outstanding Participants Loretta Claiborne John Franklin Stephens • She has been competing since the 70’s • She has completed 26 marathons and placed in the top 100 females in the Boston Marathon • Holds a 4th Degree Black Belt • He is a 30 year old man with Down’s Syndrome who competed in the Special Olympics • After a Twitter scandal where Ann Coulter called Barack Obama a “retard”, Stephens decided to write Coulter a letter in which he told her what the term actually meant. • You can view the letter he wrote here

  7. So.. How has the Special Olympics Effected Society? • The event has given many people with ID the chance to participate in sports • Sports has been proven to help the athletes off the field as well • The JPK Jr. Foundation helped create the Special Olympics, and also made many other advancements to aid people with Intellectual Disabilities • Many programs such as Best Buddies have started based on the awareness that is organization sparked.

  8. How Can I Help? • People can donate to the Special Olympics • You can also volunteer at local, state-wide, national, and international events

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