Special Olympics Moments

The Special Olympics World Games held in Los Angeles united 6,500 athletes and 2,000 coaches from 166 countries.  Together they celebrated humanity, pride, sportsmanship, and above all, the athletic abilities of people with intellectual challenges.

While every athlete had his/her own story, collectively they came to the World Games already winners.  For a few moments or longer, these athletes lived at their greatest abilities, competing against themselves and others, demonstrating their unique and diverse gifts.

I photographed Israel's delegation for the Jewish Journal.  The team were dignified and composed, and they shared a comraderie with athletes from other countries.  

Bobby Shriver and Timothy Shriver (Chairman, Special Olympics) hosted the Inaugural Dance Challenge to add to the 25 sporting events.  Rosemary Shriver, the inspiration for Eunice Shriver's creation of the Special Olympics in 1968, attended the event.

The motto at the closing ceremony was "Let me win.  But if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt."