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Arnold Schwarzenegger holds the Special Olympics torch aloft, joined by, from left, Special Olympics District of Columbia USA athlete Ricardo Thornton, Nelson Mandela, and Special Olympics South Africa athlete Danielle September. Special Olympics African Hope 2001 was launched in July 2001 to raise awareness and acceptance, generate funds, and boost the number of athletes served in Africa from 25,000 to 100,000 by 2005. "...when [Special Olympics] has a man like Arnold Schwartzenegger — one of the greatest successes in the world — supporting it, helps to bring these athletes to compete with pride, aspiration, and hope," said Mandela |
Newly inaugurated California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver showed their ongoing commitment to Special Olympics and to all people with intellectual disabilities by making one of their first official stops a 17 November event related to the global organization’s Board of Directors meeting taking place 17-18 November in Sacramento, California.
“For many years, both Arnold and Maria have championed Special Olympics athletes and the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities,” said Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics. “All citizens of California with disabilities should know they have true friends in the new Governor and First Lady.”
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Newly inaugurated California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver are shown here in 1999 marching in Opening Ceremonies for a Special Olympics competition. “For many years, both Arnold and Maria have championed Special Olympics athletes and the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities,” said Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics. |
Governor Schwarzenegger has been involved with Special Olympics since 1979, serving the organization as its Global Torch Bearer and traveling around the world with Special Olympics athletes and leaders. He met with former President of China Zhang Zemin and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela to build awareness for Special Olympics and the needs of people with intellectual disabilities. In 2001, Schwarzenegger testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations on the health status and needs of persons with intellectual disabilities.
“For nearly 25 years, I've worked with Special Olympics to tear down barriers for people with intellectual disabilities,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “I envision a world where people with intellectual disabilities are fully accepted, and where every person has the opportunity to succeed. Working with Special Olympics, I truly believe we can achieve that goal.”
In addition to being a well-known television network journalist, First Lady Maria Shriver is a Board Director for Special Olympics and author of the children’s book What’s Wrong with Timmy? which helps young people understand and accept differences among others. The Special Olympics Board of Directors, which is composed of corporate, financial, disability and sports leaders, will meet over the two-day period to discuss the many topics that concern the global growth of the Special Olympics Movement.
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Special Olympics Global Torchbearer Arnold Schwarzenegger with the "Flame of Hope" atop the Great Wall of China during the China Millenium March in May 2000. |
Other Board Directors are: former Olympic athletes Scott Hamilton, Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner; Peter Arnell, Arnell Group; Martha Beck, Author; Mark Booth, NetJets Europe; Dr. David Braddock, Coleman Institute; Jimmy Carnes, U.S. Track Coaches; Stephen Carter, Superior Essex; Ramon Cortines, Former Chancellor NYC Schools; Deng PuFang, China Disabled Persons Federation; Jay Emmett, Redwood Productions; Myer Feldman, Attorney; Susan Grealy, Special Olympics Australia; Evelyn Guiralt, Special Olympics Venezuela; Dr. Michael Hardman, University of Utah; Steven Heyer, Coca Cola; Calvin Hill, Professional Sports Consultant; Kim Samuel-Johnson, The Samuel Group; Stacey Johnston, Special Olympics athlete; Jim Jordan, Special Olympics Canada; Ossie Kilkenny, Entrepreneur; Ray Lane, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers; Peter Lynch, Fidelity Group; Rosario Marin, Former U.S. Treasurer; John Mastross, Special Olympics athlete; Nicos Megalemos, Special Olympics Cyprus; Dr. Antonia Novello, New York Health Department; Dr. Eng. Ismail Osman, Egyptian Council of Foreign Affairs; Bruce Pasternack, Booz-Allen & Hamilton; Dr. Andrei Pavlov, Ministry of Russian Federation; Peter Romero, Former U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador; Fumeke Sarr, Special Olympics Gambia; Foss Michael Shanahan, Attorney; Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Honorary Chair of Special Olympics; Rev. Joseph Simmons, Recording Artist; Martin Sorrell, WPP; Anne Sweeney, ABC Cable and Disney Channel; James C. Thompson, Stanford University; Walther Troger, IOC; Jean-Pierre van Rooy, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia; Vanessa Williams, Actress; Yan Ming Fu, Special Olympics China; and Prince Ra’ad bin Zeid of Jordan. |
