Summer Special Olympics come home

Despite the first Special Olympics games being held in Chicago, it's still maintained the ceremonies were really conceived in London.

In the 1960s, Dr. Frank Hayden was challenging the notion that people with intellectual disabilities must have a short life expectancy. He developed the idea that if we improved a person's physical conditions, it would improve their overall health.

“It was shocking new ground,” said Kris Nyhout, public relations coordinator for Special Olympics London.

Hayden's research grabbed the attention of Eunice Kennedy Shriver — who's sister, Rosemary, was intellectually disabled — and together they developed the Special Olympics.

Special Olympian Alex Domansky will be
competing once again in track this
summer.Now it's returned to its original birthplace after a lengthy process of deciding the location, said Nyhout.

This summer, Londoners will have a chance to experience the national competition featuring over 1400 athletes.

“There are a wide range of sports and abilities,” said Nyhout.

Residents and those traveling in for the games will also get to learn that the Special Olympics are not a one-time event — they actually happen year round. In London alone, there are 14 sports going on all year from figure skating to basketball.

The athletes competing in these particular games — taking place on July 13 to 17 — will be hoping to qualify for the international summer games in Athens in 2012.

London has seven athletes competing.

“We're very proud of this number,” added Nyhout.

Two athletes are competing in track, there are also three swimmers, one bowler, and one gymnast.

One track athlete actually has a connection to the other Olympic games. Thirty-one-year-old Alex Domansky's father Don competed in track during the Olympics in 1976 and 1984. Alex's mom was expecting him during one of the games and so his family jokes that he was always destined to be an Olympian, said Nyhout.

Alex is deaf and mute, which are the challenges he faces in the upcoming games, she added.

While the athletes in the Special Olympics may face some physical and intellectual disabilities, Nyhout points out that it doesn't make the competition any less fierce.

“This is real sport, not something that happens in park games,” she said.

Those interested in checking out the games can visit www.specialolympics. ca. They are taking place July 13 to 17 at the University of Western Ontario.