JFK sister and Special Olympics founder dies

Tuesday 11 August 2009

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of President John F Kennedy, has died aged 88

Eunice Shriver died in Cape Cod hospital in Hyannis, Massachusetts in the early hours of Tuesday morning. She had been in a critical condition since arriving at the hospital last week.

Ms Shriver organised the first Special Olympic Games in Chicago in 1968. She was reportedly inspired by her sister, Rosemary Kennedy.

Since then, the movement has grown, providing Olympic-style competitions to athletes with a learning disability worldwide.

Special Olympics Great Britain was formed in 1978. Its National Summer Games took place in Leicester at the end of July – more than 2,400 athletes from across Britain competed in 21 sports including judo, football and swimming.

The Special Olympics is recognised as the third Olympic movement, alongside the Olympics and Paralympics.

Brady Lum, president of the Special Olympics, said: “It is an enormous loss, but I know we can rest assured that her legacy will live on through her family, friends, and the millions of people around the world who she touched and transformed.”

Find out more about the Special Olympics