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Perception: "Those are kids in
Special Olympics ..."
Reality:
Athletes (not kids) are of all ages. In fact, Special
Olympics Maryland has more adult athletes than children. Many
children who have been involved in the program during their
time in school fall out of the program when they finish
school. During the past few years, Special Olympics Maryland
has been reaching further into the community to reach this
population. A considerable effort has been made over the last
several years to integrate more age-appropriate sports for the
older athlete population. Sports like bocce and golf
have been added, and have grown immensely in popularity.
Perception: "It's for persons
with physical disabilities."
Reality:
All Special Olympics athletes have an intellectual
disability or a
closely-related developmental disability which they are either
born with or develop after a traumatic injury or other environmental
cause. There are a number of athletes with physical disabilities
that are in addition to the developmental disability. Special
Olympics is the only organization authorized by the International
Olympic Committee to use the word "Olympics" in
its name.
Perception: "It's a one-day track
and field event in the summer, right?"
Reality:
Although it is historically based on a successful
one-day track and field event organized by Eunice Kennedy
Shriver in 1968, Special Olympics, worldwide, is a year-round
sports program. Throughout the year in Maryland, athletes
can participate in over 27 sports, including Aquatics, Basketball, Bowling,
Cycling, Equestrian, Golf, Ice Skating, Floor Hockey, Motor
Activities, Powerlifting, Sailing, Skiing, Track & Field,
Soccer, Softball, and Volleyball. There are Winter Games,
Summer Games, Spring Qualifiers, and a Fall Sports Tournament.
Perception: "Special Olympics ... it's
a recreational program."
Reality:
Special Olympics is a sports program. In 2003, at
the Special Olympics World Games in Dublin, Ireland more than 7000 athletes
from around the world competed. It was the largest sports
event in the world that year. Throughout the year in Maryland,
there is continuous training in more than 20 sports. Athletes must adhere
to specific sports federation and association governing rules
and regulations. Certified officials are at all events and
tournaments. Competition and winning is not stressed, but
training is. The sports world's movement toward "divisioning"
is a concept that has been part of Special Olympics since
the beginning. Athletes are grouped into divisions based on
their ability. So, in each sports event, an athlete can safely
and meaningfully take part and go home with a true sense of
accomplishment. This is where the "everyone is a winner"
theme comes into play. In February, 1996, Pennsylvania Special
Olympics athlete, Loretta Claiborne, was recognized worldwide
when she received the ESPY Awards' fourth annual Arthur Ashe
Award for Courage.
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