| Host city | Chicago, United States |
|---|---|
| Nations | 2 |
| Athletes | 1,000 |
| Events | 3 sports |
| Opening | July 20 |
| Closing | July 20 |
| Athlete's Oath | Eunice Shriver |
| Torch lighter | "James," a seventeen-year-old young man[1] |
| Main venue | Soldier Field |
| Summer | |
The 1968 Special Olympics World Summer Games were held in Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, United States, on July 20, 1968. Some of the smaller indoor events were held in the Conrad Hilton Hotel on Michigan Avenue. The event was co-sponsored by the Chicago Park District and the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation.[2]
1,000 athletes from 26 U.S. states, and Canada competed in track and swimming. Swimming had two events including 25 meter races, and track and field had four events including 50 yard dash, 300 yard run, and standing long jump. There was also a softball throwing event.[3][4]
The athlete's oath was introduced at these games by founder Eunice Shriver at the opening ceremony. The oath is, "Let me win. But if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt."
Notable athletes volunteered at the games, including Jesse Owens, Rafer Johnson, George Armstrong, and Stan Mikita.[5]
- ^ "History - 1968 Games". Special Olympics. August 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ^ "Local Youths Win Medals". Dixon Evening Telegraph. 23 July 1986. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ "Local Youths Win Medals". Dixon Evening Telegraph. 23 July 1968. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ "Center Athletes 2nd in Olympics". Centralia Evening Sentinel. 22 July 1968. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
stadiumanditscitywas invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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