Special Olympics Pyeongchang

[성김 대사]

The official logo of 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games
(For more information: http://www.2013sopoc.org)

2013 marks the 25^th anniversary of Korea hosting the 1988 Seoul Olympics, so it seemed very fitting to me that this year the Korean city of Pyeongchang hosted the Special Olympics World Winter Games.

The Special Olympics is a wonderfully inspiring event that perfectly represents many great values: inclusion, equality, perseverance, and respect for human rights.  To commemorate this very special event, President Obama sent a distinguished delegation to the games that included Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.  The fact that President Obama sent one of his cabinet members shows not only the importance of acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities, but also emphasizes the value Washington places on 60 years of partnership and shared prosperity between South Korea and the U.S.   

President Obama’s Delegation to the 2013 Special Olympics says hello in Pyeongchang!

By hosting, the Korean government has shown their commitment to the values that form the backbone of the Special Olympics movement.  Some of you may not know this, but Special Olympics has its roots in America.  The games were developed by an extraordinary American, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a sister of President John F. Kennedy.  Her son Tim Shriver is continuing this important creation as Chairman of Special Olympics.  The way I see it, these Pyeongchang games are just another example of just how deep the Korea-U.S. relationship has become.   

With Tim Shriver and Team USA athletes at the lunch hosted by AMCHAM

And it certainly looks like Korea is already prepared to host another upcoming world event, the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.  But for me, the best part of Special Olympics Pyeongchang was meeting the athletes and their families.  I was inspired by their positive attitudes and impressed with their many talents.  Watching them compete, I was struck by their drive, agility, speed and strength.  In fact, one of my colleagues from Washington observed that these athletes are better athletes on their worst day than we are on our best day. 

Interestingly, two of our Special Olympics Team USA members, Henry Meece and Tae Hemsath, were adopted from Korea.  Tae was actually born in Pyeongchang, so for her it was a real homecoming.  Both were very excited to be back in Korea for the first time and even hoped to meet their birth parents while they were here. 

Team USA athletes Henry Meece and Tae Hemsath speak about their return to Korea

Another highlight of Special Olympics was the Global Development Summit, which featured Burma’s famous opposition leader, the indomitable Aung San Suu Kyi.  It is certainly fitting someone of her caliber was able to attend this summit hosted by a global leader like Korea. 

Aung San Suu Kyi speaking at the Global Development Summit

One of the most rewarding activities for me in Pyeongchang was an event called “May I Serve You.”  On the first morning of competition, I teamed up with Secretary Vilsack and the whole Presidential Delegation to serve breakfast to the athletes!  I think it was a meaningful moment for Secretary Vilsack, too, because he has a special connection to the games.  Back when he was serving as the Governor of Iowa, his home state hosted the Special Olympics World Summer Games!

During “May I Serve You,” I was tasked with serving two favorite breakfast dishes in Korea and America, respectively: tofu and eggs.  I discovered that I am actually pretty good at serving eggs, but unfortunately, even though I explained how healthy and delicious tofu is, no one seemed to want any! 

Time to serve breakfast!

The whole experience of attending Special Olympics Pyeongchang left a mark on me, from meeting the athletes, to watching the competition and attending the summit.  From what I witnessed in Pyeongchang, I believe that Korean corporations and Korean people themselves understand how important inclusion, equality, perseverance, and respect for human rights are.  Together, we are doing our very best to lend a helping hand.

One last note: Did you notice that Antonio Villaragosa, the Mayor of Los Angeles, California, attended the games?  That’s because L.A. will host the next Special Olympics in 2015!  I am delighted that one of my favorite sporting events will be in my old hometown.