1968 Special Olympics World Summer Games

The First International Special Olympics Games (Summer Special Olympics) were held in Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois on July 20, 1968.

These were the very first Special Olympics world games. They were held In Chicago, ILL. at Soldier Field.

1000 athletes from 26 states, and Canada competed in track and swimming. Swimming included 25 meter races, and track had short distance runnings, ball throws, and standing long jump.

The athlete's oath was introduced at these games by founder Eunice Shriver at the opening ceremony. The oath is," Let me win. But if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Famous quotes containing the words special, world, summer and/or games:

    We cannot set aside an hour for discussion with our children and hope that it will be a time of deep encounter. The special moments of intimacy are more likely to happen while baking a cake together, or playing hide and seek, or just sitting in the waiting room of the orthodontist.
    Neil Kurshan (20th century)

    The battle for the mind of Ronald Reagan was like the trench warfare of World War I: never have so many fought so hard for such barren terrain.
    Peggy Noonan (b. 1950)

    And a sigh heaves from all the small things on earth,
    The books, the papers, the old garters and union-suit buttons
    Kept in a white cardboard box somewhere ...
    The summer demands and takes away too much,
    But night, the reserved, the reticent, gives more than it takes.
    John Ashbery (b. 1927)

    The rules of drinking games are taken more serious than the rules of war.
    Chinese proverb.