Triumph From Anguish: The Inspiration of the Special Olympics

Sport, Theology, and the Special Olympics: A Christian Theological Reflection

“…Internationally Recognised, which is reflected in the sports community, with the Special Olympics (1968-) being the world's largest organisation for persons with intellectual disabilities: The Special Olympics serves 4 million athletes (children from 8 years and adults) and their families in 185 countries and has 805,000 volunteers, 244,000 coaches, 500,000 officials and organises 44,136 international and regional competitions around the globe each year (Shriver, 2015(Shriver, , 2014. The 6,500 athletes that attended the summer 2015 Special Olympics in Los Angeles, in terms of numbers, far surpasses the 4,342 Paralympic athletes that competed at Rio 2016.…”

“…It is suggested that those with intellectual disabilities have a "gentling" influence on others, making them more compassionate, patient and tender in relationships; a humanizing influence on others, through which we meet with the vulnerability and brokenness of others. Similarly, Timothy Shriver (2014) in recounting one of many stories from the Special Olympics, in which an athlete with intellectual disabilities has changed the way people think, suggests that it is "soul power" that gentles others and leads them to consider spiritual and relational issues. Ideally this would always be the case.…”

Sport, Theology, and the Special Olympics: A Christian Theological Reflection

“…Olympics serves 4 million athletes (children from 8 years and adults) and their families in 185 countries and has 805,000 volunteers, 244,000 coaches, 500,000 officials and organises 44,136 international and regional competitions around the globe each year (Shriver, 2015(Shriver, , 2014. The 6,500…”

“Celebration” as the Spiritual Expression of Leisure and Sport: Reflections on the L’Arche Tradition and the Special Olympics

“…Laughter is a key ingredient in this process, a real antidote for the anguished soul. As the title of Shriver's (2014) Singing, exercising together, making gifts, preparing meals, gardening, and playing games with one another were staples in the social fabric of the homes. These simplistic forms of recreation provided something of a contrast to the great effort required to provide physical care and emotional support for people who had many wounds from institutional living and rejection by their families or society at large.…”

“…This is perhaps best exemplified in the philosophies that underpin two organizations that have many similarities with regard to championing the cause of those with intellectual disabilities: (i) L'Arche, an international catholic federation of over 150 communities (in 40 countries) that was founded by the French-Canadian, Jean Vanier (1928 -), where individuals with intellectual disabilities ('core members') live in community and 'mutual relationships' with personal 'assistants'. Leisure (and sport to a lesser degree) is one dimension of community life, and (ii) the Special Olympics that was founded in Chicago in 1968 and is the world's largest organization for those with intellectual disabilities, serving over 4 million athletes through 52,000 Olympic-type events every year (Shriver, 2014). According to L'Arche International (2013), the goals of L'Arche are:…”