OUR HISTORY
CELEBRATING INCLUSION SINCE 1960
1960
June, 1962
Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a summer camp for children and adults with intellectual disabilities at her home in Maryland based on the belief that they were far more capable in sports and physical activities than many experts believed.
July, 1968
The First International Special Olympics Summer Games was held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Over 1,000 individuals from 26 U.S. states and Canada participated in track and field events. A delegation of 6 students from Wichita competed and were the forerunners of Special Olympics Kansas.
1970
May, 1970
The first Kansas Special Olympics was held at Parsons State Hospital and Training Center with 300 participants.
December, 1971
The U.S. Olympic committee gives Special Olympics official approval as one of only two organizations authorized to use the name “Olympics” in the United States.
February, 1977
Steamboat Springs, Colorado hosts the first International Special Olympics Winter Games with more than 550 athletes competing in skiing and skating events. Kansas was well represented having the second largest contingent exceeded only by Colorado.
July, 1979
As a result of tremendous growth, it was decided that Special Olympics Kansas could, and should, stand alone and the organization was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
1980
1981
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is launched in Wichita, Kansas where Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds for, and increase awareness of, Special Olympics. The LETR is now the movement’s largest grass roots fund raiser, raising over $30 million annually.
1983
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, President of Special Olympics, Inc., attended the SOKS Summer Games in Wichita with over 1,600 athletes.
1986
The first sports camp was held at the University of Kansas marking the beginning of a partnership with the Big-12. Coaching staff from the university provided workshops in 6 different sports to 175 athletes and coaches.
February, 1988
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) signs an historic agreement with Sargent and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, in which the IOC officially endorses and recognizes Special Olympics.
July, 1988
Special Olympics Unified Sports® is launched, bowling, volleyball and softball are the first sports to be included.
1990
January, 1997
After its debut at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 1995, Healthy Athletes® becomes an official Special Olympics initiative, providing health-care services to Special Olympics athletes worldwide.
2000
October, 2001
Special Olympics develops and distributes “SO Get Into It™ kits for students with and without intellectual disabilities to schools and teachers at no cost. The kit teaches young people about intellectual disabilities while empowering them to be the difference by learning the values of inclusion, acceptance and respect.
June 2003
Ireland hosts the first Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held outside the U.S.
October 2004
President George W. Bush signs the “Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act,” marking the first time that Special Olympics secures support through legislation.
December 2005
“The Ringer” opens in theatres throughout the U.S. and Canada; with appearances from over 150 athletes it challenges destructive stereotypes and negative thinking about people with intellectual disabilities and kicks off the introduction of Project Unify.
July 2008
Special Olympics celebrates its 40th anniversary with almost 3 million athletes in more than 180 countries worldwide.
2009
Special Olympics Kansas introduced the Young Athletes® program in the Metro Area introducing 105 young children, ages 3-7 with intellectual disabilities, to the world of sports.
August 2009
Eunice Kennedy Shriver dies at her home in Massachusetts.
2010 and Beyond
June, 2010
Special Olympics Kansas celebrated 40 Years of service at the State Summer Games in Wichita, Kansas. The first Special Olympics Global Congress is held in Morocco.
