“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me brave in the attempt" is the oath that each competitor is sworn under in the Special Olympics, and it could not have rung truer at this year's games.
The 2015 Special Olympics World Games kicked off on July 25 in Los Angeles and it was truly magical. First Lady Michelle Obama opened the games and welcomed the athletes with kind and inspiring words.
“To all of our athletes, I just want you to know that all those people won’t just be cheering for you, they’re going to be learning from you,” Obama said. “They’re going to be inspired by you. And they’ll be reminded that at our core, we all want the same things — a sense of pride in who we are, and a belief that we can reach our dreams no matter what challenges we face.”
There were many celebrities there to help make the night special. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs running back and former Special Olympics athlete, shared his story on how these games gave him the confidence to chase his dreams. Justin Bieber walked in with the Canadian team, while Olympic gold medalists Michael Phelps, Greg Louganis and Michelle Kwan carried in the Special Olympics flag. Stevie Wonder gave a beautiful speech before performing “Fear Can’t Put My Dreams to Sleep."
“You are the special people of the world,” he said. “You are the ones who will make a difference every single day [with] your courage, your desire to make the world better by showing your love.”
The Special Olympics are all about unity and bringing athletes together. The World Games are accomplishing this exact mission. But these games aren’t just unifying the athletes, they’re bringing people together all over, being inspired by these wonderful athletes.
“That’s what you all are doing here,” Obama continued from her opening remarks. “That’s your mission. You’re bringing us together. You’re filling us with so much hope. And you’re uniting us in a way that nothing else can.”
The 2015 World Games features about 6,500 athletes from 165 countries with 25 sports to participate in. Some of the sports are similar to ones in the regular Olympics, like track and field, gymnastics, table tennis and volleyball, while some are unique to the Special Olympics, like bocce, bowling and speed skating.
The Special Olympics were founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver because she wanted to give kids with disabilities a chance to play and learn what they were capable of. Since then, cities all over the world have held their own Special Olympics, giving people the same opportunities Kennedy Shriver did. Her daughter, Maria Shriver, spoke at the opening ceremonies about how much this organization has grown.
“She was so proud of you and wanted more than anything for you to be respected, valued, appreciated for who you are,” Shriver said. “Brave, good, kind, solid and yes, smart human beings.”
The World Games are not about who does the best or which country can take home the most medals; it’s about these athletes being brave and proud of themselves, and everyone coming together to cheer them on.
The 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games will come to a close on August 2 after nine days of competition.