Special Olympics supporters pose with Splash Duck, the mascot of the Windy City Duck Derby, an event that raises thousands of dollars for the Special Olympics each summer. This year, the Special Olympics will celebrate its 50th anniversary. (DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)
DePaul alumna and Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke, along with Eunice Kennedy Shriver, started the Special Olympics in 1968 in Chicago. 50 years later, this global movement has created a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability.
The 50th Anniversary event takes place July 17-21 and honors an "Inclusion Revolution." The Special Olympics celebration brings together athletes from around the world and features the Unified Cup soccer tournament, as well as the Global Day of Inclusion festival -- admission is free for both events.
The Special Olympics Unified Cup will be played on Friday, July 20 at Toyota Park. The championship event begins at 4 p.m. with a celebrity soccer match and concludes with the Unified Cup title game at 5 p.m. The championship game features Special Olympics athletes playing alongside world-class soccer celebrities and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
On Saturday, July 21 the Special Olympics will celebrate the "Global Day of Inclusion" at Soldier Field. The family-friendly event offers sports activities, interactive games, exhibits, food and live entertainment while celebrating the past 50 years of inclusion and launching the next chapter of change and progress.
As part of DePaul's ongoing commitment to community outreach, Blue Demon student-athletes, coaches and staff have volunteered to participate in the Global Day of Inclusion on July 21. If additional DePaul Faculty and Staff would like to volunteer,
please sign up today.
Together, DePaul can help fill the stands with fans! Join DePaul alumni and the university community in celebrating the joy, courage and human spirit of Special Olympics athletes.
Special Olympics Unified Cup presented by Toyota
Friday, July 20
Celebrity match 4 - 5 p.m.
Championship games 5 - 7 p.m.
Toyota Park
Airing live on ESPN2
Global Day of Inclusion
Saturday, July 21
1 - 7 p.m.
Soldier Field