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Women of World Games
Eunice Kennedy Shriver on the left and a representative from MENA on the right doing string art.
In 1968, two women, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Chief Justice Anne Burke combined forces to organize the first Special Olympics event. In the decades since, women have been working behind the scenes in many different roles to coordinate and lead Special Olympics World Games execution.
7 Women of World Games
During Women’s History Month, seven women, one from each Special Olympics Region, shared their unique stories of what it was like to participate in and plan a World Games.
Special Olympics Africa
Basketball Official, World Games Abu Dhabi 2019
Special Olympics Asia Pacific
Special Olympics Australia athlete on 2025 & 2029 World Winter Games Bid Evaluation Team
Special Olympics East Asia
Chairwoman, World Winter Games Pyeongchang 2013
Special Olympics Europe Eurasia
Kayaking Technical & Unified Sports Delegate
Special Olympics Latin America
Tennis Technical Delegate at the 2011, 2015, and 2019 World Games
Special Olympics North America
Assistant Technical Delegate, Volleyball, World Games Berlin 2023
Special Olympics Middle East North Africa
Manager of Transformation and Legacy for Special Olympics UAE, World Games Abu Dhabi 2019
Major Special Olympics competitions are held around the world each year to bring together athletes contending to be the best in their sports. In 2019, the United Arab Emirates hosted the first World Games in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi. Now, athletes are training for our next World Winter Games in Kazan, Russia and our World Games in Berlin, both to take place in 2023.