Over two million athletes compete in the Special Olympics, with more than 15,000 events held year-round in communities worldwide. Here in New Jersey, 160 competitions are held throughout the state, including four statewide competitions in fall, winter, spring and summer.
“Let me win. But if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt." - Special Olympics Oath
They come to win medals, set personal bests, and make new friends. Since its inception in 1968, the Special Olympics have provided a way for people with intellectual disabilities to participate in competitive sports and be part of a team.
The competition began in Chicago, founded by Anne McGlone Burke, a physical education teacher with the Chicago Park District, along with the support of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of President John F. Kennedy, and originally consisted of just track and swimming.
Today, over two million athletes compete in more than 15,000 events held year-round in communities worldwide. Here in New Jersey, 160 competitions are held throughout the state, including four statewide competitions in fall, winter, spring and summer.
Doreen Pustizzi, senior director of communications for the Special Olympics of New Jersey said the games have a positive impact on the participants. “We get to see them really set goals for themselves athletically, build confidence, and carry that over into their schools, jobs, and social life.”
The games are designed to mirror the Olympics and Paralympics: there are area events, sectional events that act as qualifiers, chapter events, and world games, both summer and winter, which are held on odd number years. The next world games will be held in Boise, Idaho, winter 2009.
The summer games is the largest event in the state, taking place on the College of New Jersey campus and involving over 2,500 athletes, 575 coaches, 2,000 volunteers, and 10,000 spectators and fans. It is easily one of the largest amateur sporting events in the state, and something that local Special Olympics athletes and their families will tell you is eagerly anticipated each year.
The summer games begin with a torch run, which weaves its way through hundreds of communities and thousands of miles to raise money and awareness before finally entering the stadium to light the caldron at the opening ceremonies and kick off the weekend of games. Police officers from all over the state participate and last year alone raised over $2 million for Special Olympics New Jersey.
Kelly Martin, a 32-year-old from Westwood who has been participating in the Special Olympics since she was 9, said when it comes to the games her competitive streak ignites. “Before I get on that track I’m calm as a kitten, but once that gun goes off, I’m like a jaguar,” she laughed.
Both Kelly and her roommate, Laura Martin, no relation, say they have made many friends over the years through participating in the program.
“It’s made my confidence go way up and be more happy and more outgoing,” said Kelly. “If someone’s sad I cheer them right up.”
The games are about more than just medals and competition. Athletes cheer each other on, spend time with friends, and make new ones in between the events.
Often, there is a trip to a Trenton Thunder game on Saturday (a minor league affiliate of the Yankees), and in the “Olympic Village” on campus, organizers set up “tent town,” an area full of giveaways and games that is a favorite hang-out during down time.
Laura’s father Doug, who has volunteered as a softball coach for the program, agrees that the games have been a central part of his daughter’s life since she began participating in them over 20 years ago and spoke of how profoundly moving attending the games can be.
“The first thing that struck me the first time I went was how many people were there. There were 2,500 special needs athletes and probably two or three times as many volunteers. But then when you look at this massive group of people, you realize that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Those are the kids and young adults who have family that can be involved. There are so many more out of the loop, and I’m not sure how you pull them in,” he said.
“But the kids have a ball. In between competitions, they hang out with one another and go to tent town. Just living on a college campus for a couple days, sleeping in the dorms, it’s pretty cool.”
Mary Lou Wallace, a coordinator of Project ASK, a group from the Pascack Valley which sends teams of athletes to the Special Olympics each year. Her daughter, Mary Kay participates in many of the sports year-round.
She echoed Doug Martin’s statement that the independence the athletes feel is one of the most unique and priceless aspects of the experience.
“Parents can watch the competitions and walk around during the day, but we can’t stay around at night. They want that independence for those two days. There is always a big dance Saturday night just for the kids. It’s tremendous. You talk to Mary Kay or you talk to any of her friends and the Special Olympics is so much a part of their lives. I really don’t know what we would do without it.”
