HISTORIC ARTICLE

Jul 20, 1968 CE: First Special Olympics

On July 20, 1968, athletes competed in the first Special Olympics International Games, now the largest sporting event for people with intellectual disabilities.

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On July 20, 1968, athletes competed in the first Special Olympics International Games, held in Chicago, Illinois. The Special Olympics are a sporting event for people with intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics were developed by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Shriver was inspired by her older sister, Rosemary, who had an intellectual disability but continued to enjoy sports and other athletic activities. The Special Olympics grew out of “Camp Shriver”—held in Shriver’s own backyard—where Eunice created programs for young people with intellectual disabilities. About 160 athletes from the United States and Canada competed in the first Special Olympics. Today, more than four million athletes from 170 countries are involved in the program.

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Writer

National Geographic Society

Producer

National Geographic Society

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Last Updated

October 19, 2023

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