Congratulations to everyone here today, especially to all the Special Olympics athletes who have worked so hard and come so far just to be here. This is truly an historic occasion!
These First Asia Pacific Games are host to delegations not only from 15 nations, but delegations from 24 Provinces, Autonomous Regions, Municipalities of The People’s Republic of China -- all here to honor the courage, skill, and sportsmanship of remarkable human beings. The world will never be the same again.
So, on this remarkable occasion let us resolve to never stop until all people with mental retardation, everywhere, get the chance to participate fully in the Special Olympics Movement.
Let us resolve that we shall remain united. Politics, racism, nationalism, shall not separate us; nor will space, time, or money prevent us from celebrating the humanity, generosity, and joy that is Special Olympics.
Let us resolve that all families of an athlete will understand that “Life, Love, Self-Respect and Friendship” is not just a slogan for these Games; it is a slogan for life. Let us show family members that they will always have a place to go to share the remarkable achievements of their athletes with other families who know what their experiences are like. Feelings of isolation and ostracism for persons with mental retardation will be banished forever.
Let us resolve that we shall call upon men and women everywhere to watch Special Olympics athletes on this most remarkable occasion and learn from them how to overcome problems, how to face the future courageously, how to work together for the benefit of all, and to never give up!
Special Olympics is already the largest, fastest growing sports organization in the world. 143 nations and more than one million athletes already participate. But today marks the beginning of a new era. With all of the nations represented here for these Games, let us resolve that Special Olympics will now begin truly to unite the world in friendship, courage, and respect for all men and women especially the Special Olympics athletes who teach us that every human being is precious, created by God and destined to live forever with God and with us if only we overcome our own selfishness, our greed, our pride. We can all be better than we have ever been before.
