Statement from Mary Davis, Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia on the death of Eunice Kennedy Shriver

It is with great sadness that we receive the news of the passing of Mrs Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Founder of the Special Olympics movement.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver was an outstanding leader in the world-wide struggle to improve and enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual disability.

She was a frequent visitor to games and competitions in Europe/Eurasia, inspiring us all with her insatiable energy, her unfailing commitment and above all her enormous love for the athletes.

In the past 40 years Special Olympics has grown from its modest beginning in Mrs Shriver’s own backyard, to become the world’s largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion and human dignity for people with intellectual disability. Today three million athletes in more than 180 countries around the world benefit from being involved with Special Olympics. Here in Europe/Eurasia we currently have half a million registered athlete across 58 countries.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver leaves this profound and lasting legacy on the world.  Not only has Special Olympics changed millions of lives but also has had real impact beyond sport, helping shape public policy and effect social change. 

I know I speak for everyone at Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia when I say we are committed to working tirelessly to continue her work and to bring her powerful vision to life; to change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, using sport as the catalyst for respect, acceptance and inclusion.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this sad time.
For further information about the life of Eunice Shriver and for a statement from The Shriver Family please visit www.eunicekennedyshriver.org