The South Korean alpine town of PyeongChang last year was selected as the host of the 2018 Winter Olympics. But before that, PyeongChang has another international competition on its calendar, something that may be even larger than the Olympics in its social implications.

It’s the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games, an event for people with intellectual disabilities. And Timothy P. Shriver, the chairman of the Special Olympics, the governing body of the Special Olympic Games, has a simple message for South Koreans.

“The message is ‘join,’” Shriver said in an interview. “There are so many ways to be a part of this movement. This country is about to host one of the most inspiring, spirited, moving, events in the world. Don’t let it pass without being a part of it.”

From Jan. 29 to Feb. 6 next year, PyeongChang will hold the country’s first Special Olympics World Games, with about 3,300 athletes and officials from some 120 countries. It will be among the largest sporting events to take place on Korean soil and, in Shriver’s words, “the biggest sporting event in the world in 2013.”

The Special Olympics World Games have been held every two years since 1968, and alternate between summer and winter editions. The winter version was introduced in 1977.

Shriver said the Special Olympic World Games are “without really any peer” in terms of making a difference in the world, considering the way the movement “has challenged social, political and sport leaders all over the world and the way in which it has mobilized the entire force for inclusion.”

“It’s a life-changing experience,” Shriver said. “In one year’s time, the Republic of Korea may experience some of the most extraordinary events in its history.”

The Special Olympic Games are also unique in that they don’t keep track of medal tallies for participating countries. While the top three finishers in each event are awarded medals, all finalists will receive ribbons.

The athletes’ oath in these competitions is “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” The Special Olympics offers much-needed perspective to the sporting world that is often caught up in the competitive fire and the win-at-all-costs mantra.

Shriver said the Special Olympics in PyeongChang may also help raise awareness of those with intellectual disabilities and improve their plight. He said South Korea, as with many other nations, has much room for improvement in that regard. 

“Our movement is, however, not predicated on judging countries. It’s predicated on helping countries improve,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter to us where you’ve been. It matters to us whether countries are hopeful about improvement.”

Shriver said he has met and worked with South Koreans who are “enthusiastic” for change and who “want to end the stigma and end the prejudice that still exists.”

He said all South Koreans should take an active part in the Special Olympics, given the magnitude of their challenge to “put people with intellectual disabilities at the center of social, cultural and political life.”

“If the entire nation understands the importance of this challenge that these athletes bring and the invitation to change, then we’ll have succeeded in making the difference not just with the athletes but with the entire nation,” Shriver said.

With such an emphasis on making social changes, the Special Olympic Games are different from the Paralympics, a competition for physically disabled athletes that also offers events for the mentally disabled, Shriver said.

“We’re less interested in identifying elite performers, and more interested in helping each person find their own elite achievement,” he said. “In addition to Paralympic athletes, there are 250 million people with intellectual disabilities who are going to the Paralympics. Our passion is to put every one of them in a sports experience that will make their life a little fuller and a little more meaningful.”

As daunting as it may seem to try to change the social perception of people with intellectual disabilities, Shriver said people shouldn’t be intimidated by it.

“Most of the time when people say, I want you to work to change the world or do something important, it’s not necessarily fun,” he said. “In the Special Olympics movement, you can do something very important and very fun at the same time. It’s a nice combination to have.”

Shriver is son of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the late founder of the Special Olympics and a younger sister of former President John F. Kennedy. Timothy had been a high school teacher and later a television producer before assuming the Special Olympics position. 

(Yonhap News)