“I think you all underestimate what you do for the community. What you give people: hope.” President Joe Biden began in his opening remarks honoring the athletes and impact of Special Olympics. “They see your courage. They see you standing up under circumstances they don’t think they could handle. And you do it. And it’s all about hope.”
The President imbued the evening with a sense of inspiration and positivity, as he hosted “A Christmas for All: Celebration of Unity, America and Special Olympics.” The event distinguished the work that Special Olympics, with the support of the Biden administration and Members of Congress, has been doing to engage U.S. government officials, educators, health professionals, parents, coaches, youth and communities everywhere to not only fight intolerance, but inspire us all to be more inclusive.
“I know this work is about a lot more than sports. It’s about community. It’s about health. It’s about opportunity. It’s about who we are as a nation. What is our character? Where is our heart? The Special Olympics oath is: let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. That’s the basic American spirit. Your spirit. And you instill it in everybody.”
This sensibility was emboldened by inspiring words from Loretta Claiborne, Chief Inspiration Officer at Special Olympics. During her speech, she addressed President Biden, “It’s people like you, who gave all those years. You could have been doing anything. But you chose to work with people like me to have a better life. To be included in this society. To vote. To do everything.”
President Biden’s connection to Special Olympics dates back to 1971, a year after Loretta joined the movement. Then Council Member Biden attended the very first Special Olympics Delaware Games and cheered on over 100 athletes. From that point on, he headlined many local Special Olympics Games, led a delegation to World Games in Boise, Idaho, sent a delegation to the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, and championed the cause in the halls of Congress.
“This country can come together and unify as one. When we accept all people to work, to play, to have opportunities. If it wasn’t for Special Olympics I wouldn’t be here.” Loretta continued. “I challenge each and every one of you sitting here, to go out and do your best.”
Building on this sense of unity, Chairman of the Board at Special Olympics, Dr. Timothy Shriver, captured the essence of the movement, “We have one thing in common in this room. We’ve all had a moment where the veil is removed. When we finally were allowed to see the unmistakable human dignity and beauty of another. We’ve all had that moment, and it’s changed all of our lives. It’s the same moment that my mother hoped the world would have over and over again.”
The event celebrated founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s vision and the extraordinary achievements of Special Olympics athletes and gave thanks to the more than 50 years of support President Biden has given to the Special Olympics movement in paying tribute to the gifts of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and awakening the nation to the urgency of protecting their rights and their ability to contribute to creating a more inclusive world for all.
“We gather here tonight, not just in tribute to her [Eunice Kennedy Shriver], but with the resolve she tried to give us. To continue this work. To continue the fight. To thank those who have been with us throughout the battle. And to engage relentlessly in the pursuit of the dignity of every human being.”
The after-dinner entertainment continued with performances by Award Winning Contemporary Gospel legend BeBe Winans, one of Washington’s most beloved theater artists Nova Y. Payton, members of the U.S. Air Force Strolling Strings band, and Special Olympics Texas athlete leader and former Sargent Shriver Global Messenger Renee Manfredi. Athletes attending the event represented Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northern California, Southern California, Texas, Tennessee, Wyoming, Brazil and Great Britain. Honored guests included Andre Drummond, Derek White, and Rose Mutombo.
Special Olympics USA, a 160-member delegation, will participate in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy from March 8-15, 2025. The delegation includes athletes, Unified partners (participants without disabilities that compete on the same team) and coaches from various Special Olympics Programs around the country. Claire Potter and Ralph Gemmill, Jr. will be competing in Alpine Skiing and Elaina Camacho will be competing in Snowshoeing.
For more information on the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, please visit: www.turin2025.org.
