‘UAE has shown the power of inclusion’
abu dhabi — Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of President John F. Kennedy, founded the Special Olympics in 1968. After 50 years, the movement has got bigger, better and stronger with Abu Dhabi edition under Special Olympics chairman Timothy Shriver. Speaking to Khaleej Times, Timothy Jr, the third generation Shriver, said the entire family is part of the process from the birth and support each World Games. “We are some 25-30 family members — two sisters, 15 cousins, uncles and aunts — here in Abu Dhabi. I am here with my wife and nine-month-old son. This is his first international trip,” he noted about the fourth generation Shriver.
Timothy Jr’s first thrust with Special Olympics was in Grade 3 as unified partner. He then turned a coach in high school, was part of the Youth Summit in college and later led the process in 2015 Los Angeles Games. “I was part of the movement since birth. My grandmother founded the Special Olympics and my father is the chairman.” However, he doesn’t work for Special Olympics with an official designation.
“I am here just as a volunteer. Now I am student of religion and law at the University of Virginia. Last seven years, I have worked in youth development and leadership in public schools and colleges.”
UAE is beacon of hope for world
The 30-year-old has attended eight games so far but said the UAE edition has been an incredible experience. “You see, the US is a big country but we only have five per cent of unified schools but in the UAE with the Unified Champion Schools programme, it’s going to be 100 per cent. The commitment which the UAE has made to transform its own country and to be a beacon for the rest of the world is incredible.”
He lauded the gathering held by the UAE and New Zealand athletes at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque following the Christchurch shootings. “The moment was a lesson in what’s possible at events like this. How Special Olympics athletes can set an example for others in the world where there is violence and division. Hopefully, the world can look up to the UAE to learn what inclusion, tolerance and respect looks like,” Timothy Jr added.
Hopefully, the world can look up to the UAE to learn what inclusion, tolerance and respect looks like.”
Timothy Jr, volunteer