OLYMPIC TORCH LIGHTING CEREMONY AT SOLDIERS FIELD
2009 SPECIAL OLYMPICS SPRING GAMES OPENING CEREMONY
Release Date: 05/05/09
As Chicago
As Chicago bids to host the 2016 Olympic Games, Special Olympics Chicago celebrates its 41st anniversary at Soldier Field.In 1965, a small group of Chicago Park District staff created the beginnings of Special Olympics, a program that offers an avenue for athletes to showcase and celebrate their abilities, rather than focusing on the disabilities.The first Special Olympics Games were held at Soldier Field on July 20, 1968, with 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada competing in aquatics and athletics.The games were a cooperative effort of the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District and the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation.
“Today we have thousands of athletes compete in the Chicago games alone, some of whom travel to the World Games, said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Timothy J. Mitchell. We are proud of each and every athlete, parent, family member, coach and volunteer who participate each year.A special thank you to our corporate sponsor Subway® whose generosity has been appreciated for many years, without our corporate sponsors none of these programs would be possible”.
WHAT:Special Olympics Spring Games Opening Ceremony
Special Olympics athletes return home to Soldier Field, where the very first Special Olympics Games were held 41 years ago.Many talented competitors will march in the Parade of Athletes to celebrate the 2009 Spring Games and honor the rich history of Special Olympics.
WHERE:Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum CampusDrive
WHEN:Tuesday, MAY 5TH 10 am -12 noon
WHO:Special Olympic athletes and their family members, volunteers, coaches along
with Master of Ceremonies Kevin Magnuson and Honorary Head Coach the Chicago Blackhawks.
HISTORY:The first Special Olympics Games were held 40 years ago at Soldier Field on
July 20, 1968, with 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada competing in aquatics and
athletics. The games were a cooperative effort of the city of Chicago, the Chicago Park District and
the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation. Today, Special Olympics training and competition programs
are in more than 150 countries with more than one million athletes and growing fast. There are 5,000
registered Special Olympics athletes in the city of Chicago, which is larger than 26 state programs.
- Contact: Communications Department
- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529
- Publication Date: 05/05/09