Mary Davis pays tribute to Eunice Kennedy Shriver. 

 On the 11th August 2009 the world lost a remarkable woman - Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
On September 25th, 2010, the inaugural EKS Day was celebrated by the Special Olympics movement across the world in honour of Mrs. Shriver.  Hundreds of special events, sporting competitions, Government receptions and tribute concerts took place to celebrate her legacy and to encourage new fans of Special Olympics.  EKS Day will be an annual day of celebration and it is a fitting tribute to a woman who changed society for the better.

I am honoured to see everyday how Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s work continues to transform the lives of millions of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

Deeply inspired by the struggle of her own sister Rosemary, she set out 42 years ago with one vision: a world in which people with intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into society. Special Olympics has grown from that day in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s backyard to what it is today – a global movement of 3.5 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sport. In Europe/Eurasia we have 500,000 athletes across 58 countries across Europe and Central Asia.

Her passion for the Special Olympics movement she founded is one that happily coincided with her great love for Ireland. It was here in 2003 that the World games were first held outside the United States. It was a great gift to Ireland and seven years on the effect of those Games on the nation is still fresh in the hearts and minds of the Irish people.

Through the common and simple vehicle of sport, Special Olympics is helping to bring about attitudinal change in the way people with intellectual disabilities view themselves and are viewed and treated by others, replacing misunderstanding and fear with respect, acceptance and inclusion. Communities, sponsors, volunteers, coaches, spectators, journalists and all those who have been embraced by Special Olympics athletes find that the experience opens their eyes and minds and changes their lives forever.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver leaves this profound and lasting legacy on the world. Not only has Special Olympics changed millions of lives but it has a real impact beyond sport, helping shape public policy and effect social change. I know I speak for everyone at Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia when I say we are committed to working tirelessly to continue her work and to bring her powerful vision to life: to change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, using sport as the catalyst for respect, acceptance and inclusion. 2010 is an exciting year for Special Olympics.

The 2010 Special Olympics European Games were held in Warsaw, Poland from September 18th until September 23rd.  They were an outstanding success with over 1700 athletes from 56 countries taking part. November 27th will see the start of Special Olympics European Basketball Week in partnership with Euroleague. In June 2011 we will celebrate the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Greece –  an opportunity to showcase to the World the abilities and spirit of our athletes.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver was a frequent visitor to games and competitions in Europe/Eurasia, inspiring us all with her insatiable energy, her unfailing commitment and above all her enormous love for the athletes. While the World Summer Games take place every four years and the European/Regional Games take place every two years, it is important to be aware that Special Olympics happens everyday with more than 30,000 competitions taking place year round in communities worldwide.

I believe the world right now is hungry for what we have at Special Olympics. Everywhere you look, people are hungry for authenticity. Everywhere there is a crisis in trust. People are asking: How can I make a difference and feel a part of something bigger? At Special Olympics we are uniters. Our athlete, family and volunteer stories inspire, entertain, energise, change attitudes and break down barriers to inclusion and friendships.

Corporations sponsor Special Olympics because they share our brand values and our programmes touch so many people so positively in their communities. Funding is always an issue for us and we continually seek new corporate partnerships to support our mission and continue Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s vision.

This year the European Commission made an unprecedented commitment to Special Olympics Europe / Eurasia by granting 6 million euro. This much needed funding allowed us to empower through sports, more and more people with intellectual disabilities across Europe, while also changing attitudes and creating a more inclusive and accepting world for all of us.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver devoted her life to fighting for the rights of those with intellectual disabilities. She opened her home, she coached and above all, she was a friend. She demonstrated an indomitable spirit in action.
To quote Tim Shriver, CEO of Special Olympics International and son of Mrs. Shriver: “I cannot think of a more fitting way to celebrate my Mother’s life and legacy than to encourage acts of volunteerism that will teach people to see their peers with intellectual disabilities as classmates, team-mates, colleagues, friends and most importantly, as equals. Ultimately, I hope that this day will put us one step closer to the world she envisioned.”

Eunice Kennedy Shriver was an outstanding leader in the world-wide struggle to improve and enhance the lives of people with intellectual disability. I ask you to remember this remarkable woman every year on EKS Day – the fourth Saturday in September - and embrace the Special Olympics movement she founded so that every person with intellectual disabilities is accepted and included in society without fail.

Ends.
2010

Contact: Suzanne Coogan Head of Media & Public Awareness scoogan@specialolympics.org