(top) Olympic gold medalist Rafer Johnson, 73, speaks about his involvement with the Special Olympics during the Santa Monica Kiwanis Club's weekly luncheon at the Santa Monica Family YMCA on Wednesday, March 4, 2009. "From the very start in 1969, I wanted to be a part of helping our Special Olympics athletes succeed. I'm another set of eyes, another set of hands and a heart working to be there for them, finding a way to help them be the best they can be." -- Rafer Johnson (above) Santa Monica Kiwanis club president, Patty Logging presents a $500.00 contribution to Special Olympic athlete Eddie Mack, 43, and Rafer Johnson, 73, to benefit the Special Olympics.
Rafer Johnson, along with a small group of volunteers, founded California Special Olympics in 1969 by conducting a competition at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for 900 individuals with intellectual disabilities. Rafer’s involvement in Special Olympics began the year before, when he attended the first Special Olympics competition, conducted by Special Olympics founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. That event inspired Rafer to become more involved.
After the first California games in 1969, Rafer became one of the original members of the Board of Directors. The Board worked together to raise funds and offer a modest program of swimming and track and field. In 1983, Rafer ran for President of the Board to increase Board participation, reorganize the staff to most effectively use each person’s talents and expand fundraising efforts. He was elected president and served in that capacity until July 1992, when he was named Chairman of the Board of Governors.
Over the years, Rafer has been involved with scores of charities. However, he is most passionate about Special Olympics Southern California. Rafer was the USA Team Captain and Flag bearer at the Rome Games and was selected to light the Olympic Cauldron to open the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. He and his wife Betsy, reside in Southern California. His son, Josh, was a Javelin Thrower for UCLA and his daughter, Jenny, competed at the 2000 Sydney Games in Beach Volleyball.
Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. The Special Olympics movement transforms communities by inspiring people throughout the world to open their minds, accept and include people with intellectual disabilities and thereby celebrate the similarities common to all people. Special Olympics athletes compete in categories based on gender, age, and ability level. All Special Olympics activities reflect the values, standards, traditions, ceremonies, and events embodied in the modern Olympic movement. These activities have been broadened and enriched to celebrate the moral and spiritual qualities of persons with intellectual disabilities to enhance their dignity and self-esteem. Special Olympics Programs are offered at no cost to the athletes and their families. Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization.
