Special Olympics Gymnastics: A 50 Year History1987 - International Summer Games

1987 International Summer Special Olympic GamesJuly 31 - August 8South Bend, IndianaThe opening ceremonies were broadcast live on ABC television, Bart Connor and Mary Lou Retton, Olympic Gold Medal Gymnasts came to our event, and the world watched these games.Opening CeremoniesPoster

It was the first time that we competed compulsory routines (3 levels- Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced) and optional routines (advanced only) at a World Games. The men had 6 events (Pommel horse and Rings were only offered to the Advanced level) and the women had 4 events. All Around was offered, if the gymnast competed in all events. They could be specialists and compete in fewer events, if they chose. The venue was on the Notre Dame Campus, right by the outside venues and we were packed daily. (We had to add more bleachers!)Chad Oncale from Schriever, Louisiana, a gymnast with down syndrome, was one of the stars of the competition. His coach was quoted as saying, “His movements are precise, his motivation unfailing.” He is respected “as a disciplined, even-tempered and dedicated athlete” and he was a champion. He wowed the audience with his iron cross on rings, among other skills he performed.GymnastDuring the games & following it, articles were written about the heroism of the athletes. I wrote one about getting involved in Special Olympics gymnastics for USA Gymnastics magazine and about Chad Oncale. The Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, Family Circle Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Time Magazine, as well as others had articles that included talk of the athlete’s heroism, with sports being a great medicine and the courage of our athletes for getting out there and trying. Time magazine said, “At the Notre Dame gym, lean, well-conditioned gymnasts are performing difficult maneuvers on the rings and the parallel bars. Obviously, they are athletes.”Notre Dame Head Football Coach Lou Holtz reflected on the true meaning of sport in an interview after the games. “I wish you could have been here when we had Special Olympics. That changed my life after that first year. Six thousand people from all over the world, with real handicaps, real reasons to be dejected- but they were filled with love and excitement, and all they wanted was the opportunity to compete in Special Olympics.”Bart Conner clinicOlympic gymnasts Bart Conner, Mary Lou Retton and Tracee Talavera helped with an athlete clinic.

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Gymnastics 50 CoverDocument NavigationAcknowledgementsContentsForeword and MissionSpecial Olympics Gymnastics MilestonesSpecial Olympics Gymnastics Sport DirectorGymnastic Sport PlansGymnastics Sports Rules Sub CommitteesRole of the Coach in Special Olympics GymnasticsRole of Officials and Parents in Special Olympics Gymnastics50 Years of Competitions and Events1983 - International Special Olympics Summer Games1987 - International Summer Games - Notre Dame, Indiana1991 - International Summer Games - Minneapolis/St. Paul1993 - US Olympic Festival1995 - World Summer Games - New Haven, Connecticut1995 - European Regional Training School - Rome, Italy1999 - World Summer Games - North Carolina2003 - World Summer Games - Dublin, Ireland2006 - USA Games - Ames, Iowa2007 - World Summer Games, Shanghai, China2010 - USA Games, Nebraska2011 - Inaugural USA Gymnastics/SO Championships2011 - World Summer Games, Athens, Greece2014 – USA Games, Trenton, New Jersey2015 - World Summer Games, Los Angeles, California2018 – USA Games, Seattle, Washington2018 - 50th Anniversary of Special Olympics2019 - World Summer Games - Abu Dhabi2022 - USA Games - Orlando, FloridaFinal Word