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Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Special Olympics Board Member and athlete Loretta Claiborne were honored with the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame’s Founder’s Award at an induction ceremony in Boise, Idaho, on 20 June. The award is presented annually to individuals who, through sports, make a difference in their community. Shriver was recognized for establishing Special Olympics, while Claiborne was honored for her dedication and commitment in advancing the Special Olympics movement.
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Gary Hunter, CEO of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games and Board Member of the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, honors Special Olympics International Board Member Loretta Claiborne with the Founder's Award from the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in Boise, Idaho. |
“When Eunice Kennedy Shriver began the Special Olympics movement more than 40 years ago, she envisioned an organization that would not only improve the quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities through sports training and competition, but also one that would change entire communities who were touched by the Special Olympics spirit,” said Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver.
“Loretta Claiborne is the quintessential Special Olympics athlete, displaying courage, determination and dignity as she continues to triumph daily in the face of adversity, serving with distinction on our Board of Directions,” Shriver said. “We are proud that the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame has recognized these two women, who are not only leaders in sport, but role models in our mission to enable people with intellectual disabilities to achieve their full potential—on the field of play and in life.”
A highlight of the evening’s events, held at the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts in Boise, was the induction of NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, eight-time National Basketball Association All-Star Dikembe Mutombo and seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Edgar Martinez into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in recognition of their world-class athletic ability and strong community and humanitarian achievements.
Claiborne attended the ceremony and received her honor from Gary Hunter, who serves as CEO of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The 2009 World Games will be held in Idaho on 2-13 February.
Shriver is the recipient of numerous awards and honors for her work in founding Special Olympics, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian award.
Long-distance runner Claiborne is among the most accomplished and celebrated Special Olympics athletes, having competed in more than two dozen marathons, finishing with the fastest 25 women runners in the Pittsburgh Marathon and twice with the top-100 women runners in the Boston Marathon. Frequently honored for her work on behalf of Special Olympics, she is the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage from ESPN and was the first Special Olympics athlete ever appointed to the Board of Directors.
The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame (www.sportshumanitarian.com), located on the Boise State University campus in Idaho, recognizes individuals and organizations from the world of amateur and professional athletics who, through their humanitarian efforts, distinguish themselves as role models in the community. Over 35 sports-humanitarians have been enshrined in Boise, including tennis great Arthur Ashe, Major League Baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, NFL coaching legend Tom Landry, the NBA's David Robinson, soccer great Pelé and the Harlem Globetrotters. |
