As I write this in mid-August, the 2024 Paris Olympics have just ended. While I’m no athlete, I absolutely love watching the Olympics, summer and winter alike.
I was doubly enchanted and captivated this year, not only by the incredible physical skills and athletic abilities of the participants, but by the overall location as well.
I thought that the monumental efforts by the people of Paris and France were beyond compare, resulting in the unbelievable creation and presentation of events in historically stunning locations in and around Paris. Magnifique, Paris! Merci!
Prior to the start of the Summer Games, I also caught some of the Tour de France, with amazing cyclist/athletes and stunning views of the French countryside.
Over the past few days I’ve caught a couple of moments of the Tour de France/Femmes (women cyclists) and the still-stunning French countryside through which they are riding.
And soon the Paralympics, events for athletes with physical disabilities, will begin, and once again, Paris and France will be front and center as incredible athletes demonstrate their abilities and strengths. It has been the Summer of Sport in France!
But there was at least one other Olympics which occurred this summer, prior to even the men’s Tour de France, which was not held in France or even Europe. It wasn’t telecast or available to stream. But for the many athletes who participated, it was absolutely their moment to shine! And the stunning backdrop for these games? Why, EWING, of course!
My guess is that not too many people in Ewing know that each summer for decades now, The College of New Jersey has hosted the New Jersey games of the Special Olympics.
The event draws thousands of athletes, volunteers, coaches and other participants from around the state to the Ewing campus to enjoy days of competition, recognition, celebration, and to “bring pride into the lives of all involved.” It is organized by Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ), one of the 227 national and state members of the global movement, Special Olympics.
Special Olympics began over 60 years ago, the creation of Eunice Kennedy Shriver (a sister of President John F. Kennedy) with the ultimate mission to “provide sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, completely free of charge.”
Another sister had an intellectual disability (then termed mental retardation), and Eunice realized that these children were often shamed, excluded, mocked, and sometimes kept hidden. They had little to no opportunity to play and interact with other children.
In 1962, Eunice began a successful summer day camp in her yard for children with intellectual disabilities, while concurrently, governmental and nonprofit entities began to realize the unmet needs of this segment of the population.
Other such summer day camps and other activities soon began to be funded, and much attention was given at various levels to understand and provide special education and assistance programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. By 1968, the summer camps had grown to provide thousands of participants with sports training, athletic competition, and opportunities for experiencing courage and joy under the officially sanctioned “Olympic” name.
SONJ was one of the state members founded that first official year, when several individuals sought to bring the movement to NJ, including Bessie Cutter Perlman, a 1925 TSC graduate, and teacher of deaf children. Eighteen participants represented NJ in the first competition in 1969. The SONJ organization, now based in Lawrenceville, has been growing ever since.
Fast forward to this year: SONJ’s 56th, and the 34th consecutive games to be held on the Ewing college campus. Over 1200 athletes and coaches resided at the College over the June weekend to participate, while an additional 800 athletes and coaches attended as day participants.
They were supported by an army of volunteers, family members and friends, assisting, enjoying and cheering on the participants in many different events, including bocce, gymnastics, powerlifting, swimming, softball, tennis, and track and field events. When the weather cooperates, more than 10,000 people can be on hand. It’s quite a weekend!
Ewing may not have Versailles, but we annually provide an opportunity to help celebrate the abilities of these very special athletes. And that’s truly “magnifique,” Ewing!
Helen Kull is an advisor with the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society.
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