This year, the Special Olympics are being held at USC, giving me and roughly 60,00 other people from around the globe the rare opportunity to watch the games and cheer on the participants. I trekked to the Coliseum Saturday night for the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony, and I was surrounded by hundreds of fans decked out in their countries’ colors. However, instead of awe, I found myself claustrophobic; and instead of feelings of comradery, I just wanted to elbow my way to my seat to see Avril Lavigne perform. This all changed once the ceremony commenced.
I knew very little about the Special Olympics prior to the Ceremony. I understood their purpose and knew basically how they helped people, but I never thought much about just how vital they were. This year, the theme for the Special Olympics is “Reach up,” which is a testament to the power participants are enabled with. One of the most inspiring parts of the entire ceremony was Tim Harris, a past Special Olympian gold-medalist who has truly reached up in opening his own restaurant in New Mexico, a feat he attributes to his participation in the Special Olympics.
In his speech, he stated that he serves “breakfast, lunch and hugs” at his restaurant because “when you give someone a hug, you are letting them know you love and accept them.” He then introduced the First Lady Michelle Obama, with an envy-inducing hug of her own, and she proceeded to officially announce the start to the Special Olympics as she discussed the goal of the games: unity.
In a short documentary-style piece about Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of the games, we learned what I thought to be the most important aspect of the games and why they matter so incredibly much. Shriver explains that it’s not about where you're from, how old you are, or why you're there, it’s about giving anyone with an intellectual disability the chance to compete and find the confidence they need to pave their path in the world.
While there’s representation from over 150 countries, the games have little to do with diplomacy and everything to do with inclusion. These athletes had been shunned in many other parts of their lives, but were able to come together to compete for the sake of sport.
The games gave every contestant the chance to shine, experience the cheering, and stand together as, President Obama claims, the “best of the human spirit.” In a touching speech, Jamaal Charles, an All-Pro NFL running back, revealed himself as once being plagued with a learning disability. At the age of ten, he competed in the Special Olympics and discovered his speed, and he accredits the confidence he gained from the Special Olympics to his success as a professional football player.
As Eva Longoria dictated, the pillars of the special olympics are acceptance, courage, determination, unity and joy; joy from competing, joy from watching, and joy from knowing you have a place in the world. The Special Olympics have given millions of people a home where they can be exactly as they are and a chance to explore their potential without judgement.
Anyone in the area should turn out for the next seven days of awe-inspiring competition.
