On July 20, 1968, about 1,000 children with intellectual disabilities ranging in age from 8 to 18 competed in the first Special Olympics at Soldier Field.
Responding to a written proposal from Chicago Park District employee Anne Burke, a $25,000 check from the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation was forwarded here to help start the games, courtesy of the foundation’s executive vice president, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
The initial one-day outing included participants from more than 20 states and Canada. Admission was free, but with little publicity and a basic lack of understanding, not many showed up besides friends and relatives of the youngsters.
Still, the spirit was the same as if the stadium was packed, and the event was considered a huge success by those in attendance.
Two years later, the second games were held at Soldier Field, the name changed to International Special Olympics with the inclusion of a small delegation from France. The number of states sending teams grew to 43, participation more than doubled to 2,500 and competition was spread over three days.
The seed planted in Chicago grew rapidly. Berlin hosted the Special Olympics World Games last month with more than 6,500 athletes; 3,000 coaches; 18,000 volunteers and 9,000 family members participating.
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— Kori Rumore, visual reporter
Chicago history | More newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Today’s eNewspaper edition
Photo gallery: The first Special Olympics
The first competition drew athletes from 26 states — the start of a program that would grow over 55 years to serve more than 6 million athletes and partners in more than 190 countries and territories.
‘They don’t pick favorites, they cheer everyone’
More than 1,000 participants competed in 200 events, including the 50-yard dash, 300-yard run, high jump, broad jump, baseball throw, field hockey and swimming races.
‘He was the reason why we had the first Special Olympics’
When Michael “Moose” Cusack was born in the Chicago Lying-in Hospital in 1956, doctors told his parents that something was wrong — he had Down syndrome. John and Esther Cusack’s first step toward challenging the status quo was bringing their son home. They raised him, loved him and nurtured him the same as his four sisters. Their support allowed Moose to become a champion.
Brian Freese epitome of Special Olympics Chicago’s success
Over the last 50 years, Amelia Hernandez has gone from an eager 11-year-old girl who was snickered at on the street and not allowed to go to a traditional public school, to a champion hockey goalie, boccie ballplayer, runner, weightlifter and fierce competitor in other events with hundreds of medals.
At the same time, society has made notable strides in accepting and accommodating people with special needs.
‘You don’t see a disability. All you see is the ability to enjoy what you’re doing’
The Kamperts are one family, but they represent legions.
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