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Women of World Games

Eunice Kennedy Shriver on the left and a representative from MENA on the right doing string art.
In 1968, two women, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Chief Justice Anne Burke combined forces to organize the first Special Olympics event. In the decades since, women have been working behind the scenes in many different roles to coordinate and lead Special Olympics World Games execution.
7 Women of World Games
During Women’s History Month, seven women, one from each Special Olympics Region, shared their unique stories of what it was like to participate in and plan a World Games.
Special Olympics Africa
Basketball Official, World Games Abu Dhabi 2019
Special Olympics Asia Pacific
Special Olympics Australia athlete on 2025 & 2029 World Winter Games Bid Evaluation Team
Special Olympics East Asia
Chairwoman, World Winter Games Pyeongchang 2013
Special Olympics Europe Eurasia
Kayaking Technical & Unified Sports Delegate
Special Olympics Latin America
Tennis Technical Delegate at the 2011, 2015, and 2019 World Games
Special Olympics North America
Assistant Technical Delegate, Volleyball, World Games Berlin 2023
Special Olympics Middle East North Africa
Manager of Transformation and Legacy for Special Olympics UAE, World Games Abu Dhabi 2019
A crowd of spectators watching fireworks go off above them in an arena.

Lean more about World Games

Major Special Olympics competitions are held around the world each year to bring together athletes contending to be the best in their sports. Now, athletes are training for our next World Winter Games in Turin, Italy in 2025 and our World Games in 2027.