Thaindian News

By Meena Kar
Oct 11, (THAINDIAN NEWS) President Matthew Aaron unveiled the portrait of Mrs. Shriver and several athletes including Loretta Claiborne of New York. And that was when this special athlete came to limelight once again. Ever since Mrs. Shriver founded Special Olympics, that came into recognition in the year 1968, she was committed towards the cause of acceptance, human dignity, inclusion and change. Loretta Claiborne, was a product of Special Olympics and it gave her the fame and respect like any other physically fit athlete.

State Street Miracles was also opened yesterday in the honor of Mrs. Shriver, and seven special players who also participated in this event are Roger Ricker, Klapinsky Jennifer, Kim Watson, Jake Spencer, Brian Short, Peter Crumb, Brittany Roberts Thornbury, Wayne Erin McGivney. they have all been Special Olympics athletes. Loretta Claiborne also attended the event to support the athletes and said that she wants to congratulate Mrs. Shriver whose undaunted struggle for the equality of the special people has changed many unfortunate people’s life, including hers.

Loretta Claiborne is a global speaker and got her fame in Special Olympics that motivated the participation of physically challenged people. This athlete was born as a partially blind child and could not speak until the age of four. Despite that she has emerged a winner in several Special Olympics. A black belt in karate, she has been participating in the special Olympics since 1970. In 1983, for the first time, she won a gold medal in the mile run. She won a gold medal in the 13-mile half marathon in the 1991 World Game. In 1995, she bagged a silver medal in figure skating at the winter world games. Now, she is a part of Special Olympics Pennsylvania Board of Directors.