Dear Friends,

Today, 20 July, we celebrate the anniversary of the first-ever Special Olympics Games held 48 years ago in Chicago, Illinois on Soldier Field.

On that day, then Mayor Daley turned to our Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver and said, “Eunice, the world will never be the same.” What a true statement and it is because of your support that the world has changed to be more accepting and inclusive of people with intellectual disabilities.

As we celebrate our anniversary I want to thank you, and all of our many supporters, for all you have done to grow and strengthen our movement. Today we are more than 5 million athletes strong who every day are sharing their gifts and talents with their community, teaching the world that every person has value.

The lessons of our athletes are so relevant today as we all long for a more inclusive world.

To all of the corporations and their employees, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, many foundations and governments, sports federations and organizations, and the millions of volunteers who have made Special Olympics possible, we deeply appreciate your on-going support and we look forward to another year of opening hearts and minds through sport to create inclusion all over the world.

Sincerely, 

Mary Davis, CEO
Special Olympics, Inc.