Main content

The First Special Olympics

How the Kennedy family developed the first games for athletes with intellectual disabilities in Chicago in 1968.

In the summer of 1968, the first games for athletes with intellectual disabilities was held in Chicago. They were promoted by the Kennedy family, one of whom had learning difficulties. Sporting Witness talks to Frank Olivo, who won the 50-yard race, and Anne Burke, a Chicago schoolteacher who helped organise the event.

Picture: Members of the US Special Olympic team (Private Collection)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Sun 31 Aug 2014 03:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 30 Aug 2014 13:50GMT
  • Sat 30 Aug 2014 21:50GMT
  • Sun 31 Aug 2014 03:50GMT

Olympic history

Olympic history

The inside and personal story of the key moments from sporting history

Sporting Witness Films

Sporting Witness Films

Watch sporting heroes tell their stories of astonishing achievement

Podcast