With the national games approaching for the Special Olympics -- a sporting initiative for people with intellectual disabilities -- two-time Olympic medalist Yuko Arimori, who leads the Japan chapter, Special Olympics Nippon, has stressed the significance of providing such people with opportunities that will bring about change.
The three-day national summer games, the seventh for Japan, are scheduled to start in Aichi Prefecture on Saturday. Under the slogan of "Koeru Yorokobi" (Joy from going beyond), about 1,000 athletes are expected to participate in 13 sports, including swimming, gymnastics and soccer, at nine venues in the prefecture.
Arimori, who won the silver medal in the women's marathon at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and bronze four years later in Atlanta, believes people can undergo positive change through sports as a result of experiences such as surpassing their perceived ability, overcoming psychological barriers and becoming aware of various possibilities, and that this can bring them surprise and joy.
"The problem is not disabilities. The lack of opportunities is the problem," Arimori said during a recent interview with The Japan News. "If people with intellectual disabilities are given opportunities to try and boost their ability, they will change."
Arimori, who has been president and CEO of the Japan chapter for about a decade, became involved in Special Olympics activities in 2002 as a "dream supporter." She recalled being surprised to realize that intellectually disabled people didn't have sporting opportunities unless they were "given" the chance.
"I've experienced changes through sports myself. So I became interested in an organization that strives to create an environment where such opportunities are offered," Arimori said.
The Special Olympics, which is held in summer and winter every four years, was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a sister of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Its mission is to promote social acceptance and inclusion of the intellectually disabled through sporting opportunities that aim to boost their confidence and give them a sense of achievement.
At the Games, participants are grouped according to such conditions as age and ability levels in a process called "divisioning." Like the Olympics and Paralympics, medals are awarded to the first, second and third-place winners at each event, but at the Special Olympics participants are also recognized for their performances by being presented with ribbons.
The Aichi Games will serve as a qualifier for next year's world summer games in Abu Dhabi, in which about 7,000 athletes from about 170 countries and regions are to compete.
Arimori hopes the Special Olympics will become more well-known so that it can have a greater impact beyond merely being an athletic event. Despite a gradual change toward including the intellectually disabled in society, Japan has lagged behind Western countries in promoting active participation of such people in society.
"So many people don't know much about those with intellectual disabilities. We strive to create places for the intellectually disabled to connect with society. I believe our role is also significant in helping more people learn about them," she said.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
