Special Olympics 2025

There was a large turnout at the Special Olympics on Friday, April 11, at Appling County High School.

The event was made possible by countless teachers, staff, and parents with over 50 community sponsors. Participants lined up with excitement as the National Anthem was performed by the Appling County High School chorus.

Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with disabilities, providing year-round training and activities to Unified Sports partners in 172 countries. Like the International Paralympic Committee, the Special Olympics organization is recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of US President John F. Kennedy, founded the Special Olympics to positively change attitudes towards handicapped people. In June 1963, she started a day camp called Camp Shriver for children with intellectual and physical disabilities at her home in Potomac, Maryland, seeking to address the concern that disabled children had very little opportunity to participate in organized athletic events.

At the beginning of the ceremony, athletes repeat the Special Olympics oath: “Let me win. If I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”